Social Work, Alcohol and Drugs  
Young woman
Across the Lifespan - Pregnancy

Introduction

There has been relatively little research and information about the impact of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy. Public health messages about alcohol consumption during pregnancy currently suggest women who are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, drink no more than 1-2 units of alcohol “once or twice a week” and should “avoid episodes of intoxication” (Department of Health 2005). The advice on drug use is to stop taking drugs before becoming pregnant or as soon as the woman is aware she is pregnant (Patient UK 2005). However some women will need help to do this and should contact a GP or the local community drug team for advice and support.

Most attention has been focussed on when alcohol and drug use may be likely to most harm the foetus, ie. which trimester of pregnancy, as well as how much of the substance it takes to harm the foetus. Because this is an under researched area, the research findings are limited and often appear equivocal and contradictory in their recommendations.

One point of agreement however is that heavy and persistent alcohol or drug use is not recommended during pregnancy. However, women who are using in this way will need to seek medical advice before stopping or reducing their alcohol or drug use as the withdrawal process may also have an impact on the unborn child.

Note: Pregnancy is also a high risk time for the start, or worsening, of domestic abuse and violence. Where a parent is using alcohol or drugs, particularly to problematic levels, the risk of violence and abuse is likely to increase. Women can feel particularly vulnerable both physically and emotionally during pregnancy and will need higher levels of support and monitoring both for their own safety and that of their unborn child. If women are accompanied by partners to prenatal appointments, social and health workers need to ensure that some space is made to see the woman on her own in order to screen her for domestic abuse. (See section on ‘Domestic Violence’.)

The role of the social worker at a time of pregnancy is likely to include supporting parents so they can look after the new child, or other dependent children, as well as having a role in antenatal and post natal risk assessments where necessary. As a last resort a social worker’s role may be to use their powers under the Children Act 1989 to protect the children or new infant where there is sufficient evidence of harm or neglect.The following sections are a brief summary of what is currently known about the impact of alcohol and drugs on the menstrual cycle, the foetus and post birth impact on mother and child. (For further specialist information see the website and further reading links at the end of this section and ‘Further Reading’ on the main menu.)

References and sources
Department of Health (2005) ‘Alcohol and Health’. Available on line at http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/ AlcoholMisuse.htm Accessed 7th July 2005

Effective Interventions Unit (undated) Integrated Care Pathways Guide 8: Drug Misuse in Pregnancy and Reproductive Health. Available online at: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/eiu. 4 pages. Accessed 7th July 2005

Patient UK (2005) ‘Pregnancy and Street Drugs.’ Available online at http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000496.htm. Accessed 7th July 2005.
 

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