RISERecovery & Integration Service

Substance Use & PregnancyLiz Thompson

Families and Communities Manager

Who are We?

Devon’s drug and alcohol recovery service

• Psychosocial interventions• Medically assisted recovery• Access to detox and rehab• Mutual aid facilitation• Recovery & Life Skills

Where are We?

Barnstaple

Tiverton

Exeter

Newton Abbot

Okehampton

Rise has five teams across Devon:

• North Devon• East and Mid Devon• Torridge and West

Devon• Exeter• South Devon

Working with pregnant substance users

• Complex needs and increased risk

• Take action as early as possible

• Multi disciplinary approach

• Open communication

• Early interventions make a difference

• Don’t make assumptions

Alcohol and pregnancy

• Foetal alcohol spectrum disorderhttps://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/fertility-and-pregnancy/foetal-alcohol-syndrome-(fas)

Increased risk of:• Miscarriage • Stillbirth • Developmental delays• Premature birth • Small birth weight

Opiates and Pregnancy

Increased risk of:

• Premature birth

• Low birth weight

• Developmental delays

• Miscarriage and foetal distress through maternal

withdrawals

• Neonatal abstinence syndrome

Cocaine and pregnancy

• Low birth weight

• Smaller head circumference

• Premature birth

Factors

• Frequency

• Quantity

• Route

• Number of drugs abused

• Nicotine use

• Other health needs

• Malnutrition

• And more

Myths

Many myths surround substance use and pregnancy

It is important that the information given to expectant mothers is accurate and factual so seek professional

advice and support

One example:

‘Women on methadone should not breastfeed’Myth or truth?

Thank you

Any questions?