Reduce Stigma for Pregnant People with SUDs

Introductory Paragraph

Reducing stigma and perception surrounding pregnancy and SUDs will increase access to care. Pregnant people with SUDs may face feelings of shame and guilt on top of their challenges with childcare, social service involvement, and access to care. These difficulties are amplified by stigma. It should be noted that pregnant people with an SUD are not one uniform group in their behavior. Some are actively using, others are in recovery, and others my be engaged in harm reduction, such as medicated assisted treatment. Nonetheless, as a sub-population they face similar hardships around stigma.

Key Information

SAMSHA defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” SAMSHA lists health, home, purpose, and community as essential dimensions of support for a life in recovery. Stigma is a barrier in recovery. When a person with substance use disorder reaches out for help, he or she is often met with judgmental responses which are less than helpful. This is the result of stigma and can be overt or more subtle. Stigma comes in the form of language used, pity, disdain, silence, or rejection. Persons with mental health and substance use problems are exposed to an array of stigma components which interact to endanger their mental health. These components include stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.

Studies have shown that people with substance use disorder experience labeling, shame, and rejection from family members, friends, teachers, co-workers, supervisors, and health care professionals. This stigma can get in the way of the support that people in recovery need -- especially those in early recovery. Outside stigma can become internalized, leading people in recovery to embody and adopt inaccurate beliefs about themselves due to their exposure to external stigmatizing forces.