Substance use means taking or using specific substances, including:
- alcohol
- tobacco products
- illicit drugs (e.g., marijuana or hashish, cocaine, crack, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine, as well as misuse of prescription psychotherapeutic drugs)
- inhalants
- other substances that can be consumed, inhaled, injected, or otherwise absorbed into the body with possible dependence and other detrimental effects
Substance use, or taking drugs and drinking alcohol, is not recommended during a pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Substance use can have a wide range of harmful effects on a developing baby, especially on their brain. Substance use may cause a baby to go into withdrawal at birth. Other effects may only be seen as a child grows up and is learning to walk, talk, and learn in school. To have the healthiest pregnancy and baby possible, try to quit using substances. If you are unable to quit, reduce your use as much as possible. Getting prenatal care, even if you are unable to stop use, can still be one of the best things you can do for your baby’s health. Talk to your healthcare provider about the ways to get support.
Substance use and addiction can be a life-long health issue for families. This section includes resources to help pregnant women and their families learn more about substance use.
How can using substances like alcohol, tobacco, opioids or marijuana affect my baby?
Drinking alcohol is also not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Alcohol is one of the most well researched substances used during pregnancy. It can be very harmful to a developing baby. Alcohol can affect a baby’s brain if you drink while pregnant. It can cause serious, lifelong issues for your child such as problems with:
- coordination
- behavior
- attention
- learning
- understanding consequences
Heavy drinking (having more than three drinks per occasion or more than seven drinks per week) can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD).
Learn more about FASD, alcohol, and the effects it can have on your baby. More helpful resources on FASD for anyone can be found here.
Using marijuana, also called cannabis, in any form is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You can read more information about how it may impact a developing baby here.
Smoking, vaping, or using tobacco products can also negatively impact your baby’s development. According to ACOG, smoking during pregnancy can have the following risks:
Risks for Your Fetus
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Risks for Your Newborn
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Risks for You
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If you need help quitting, visit the Quit Now Virginia website.
MotherToBaby is a free and confidential public resource. It provides reliable, evidence-based information about the potential risks or benefits of medications and drugs during pregnancy. The information is grounded in research and is non-judgmental.
Ways to Contact:
- Phone: 866-626-6847 (toll free)
- Text: 855-999-3525 (standard messaging rates may apply)
- Chat: Live Chat on website
- Email: Email form on website (if there’s any complication, ContactUs@mothertobaby.org)
I am having trouble quitting drinking, smoking, or using substances and need help. Where can I go to get help?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a free, confidential, 24/7 hotline. Call if you are in crisis or if you need less urgent help with mental health and/or substance use issues: 1-800-622-HELP (4357). They provide referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Visit the SAMHSA National Helpline for Mental Health.
SAMHSA also has a treatment locator that you can use to identify places to get help to stop using substances.
Community Service Boards (CSBs) provide behavioral health and developmental services across the state. Services include:
- Information on opioids and addiction to opioids
- Rescue and prevention information
- Treatment and recovery information
- How to find a local Community Service Board (CSB) in Virginia
CSBs provide behavioral health and developmental services across the state. Services include:
- early intervention for infants
- mental health support for youth and adults
- crisis response
- substance use treatment
Project LINK, supported by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), is available at 14 CSBs across Virginia. Project LINK:
- Provides personalized support for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders
- Offers connections to treatment, prenatal care, parenting programs, and other essential services
- Focuses on each woman’s unique needs and the realities of substance use and motherhood
While not every CSB offers Project LINK, most provide a range of supportive resources for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders.
If you are interested in Project LINK, contact the listed representative from your region for more information.
For alcohol related use, you can also visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website.
If you need help quitting smoking, visit the Quit Now Virginia website.
What is harm reduction? What resources are available for harm reduction?
Comprehensive Harm Reduction (CHR) is a public health approach. It is aimed at reducing the harmful effects of drug use. This includes the spread of infections, overdoses, and death for individuals who are unable or not ready to stop using drugs. CHR programs offer many services. CHR program services often include:
- sterile syringe distribution
- naloxone to reverse overdoses
- education
- peer support
- HIV and hepatitis testing
- treatment referrals
- connections to medical care
Participants are also protected from prosecution for possessing drug paraphernalia obtained through the program. Drug paraphernalia means equipment that is used to produce, conceal, and consume illicit drugs.
To learn more about harm reduction and CHR sites in Virginia, visit the VDH Comprehensive Harm Reduction webpage.
The Academy of Perinatal Harm Reduction has a free toolkit offering evidence-based, stigma-free education and support related to pregnancy and substance use. This resource is valuable anyone interested in learning more about harm reduction during pregnancy.
How can I talk to my children about my addiction or a family member’s addiction?
Sesame Workshop has a resource on how to talk about parental addiction with children. This educational video features Elmo learning about parental addiction. It offers helpful guidance on starting conversations and answering children’s questions about addiction.