Effects of Drug Use During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, everything that goes into your body has the potential to have an effect on your unborn baby.

Some things you take into your body can have harmful effects on your pregnancy. Smoking, drinking alcohol, abusing prescription drugs, or using illicit drugs can all pass through the placenta and have a negative effect on you and your baby.

Illicit Drugs
Illicit drug use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, preterm labor, birth defects, stillbirth, withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth, higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor fetal growth rate, and cognitive and behavioral problems. Women who inject drugs are at a higher risk of contracting HIV, which can be passed on to their baby.

Prescription Medication
Opioid drugs and other narcotics that are used during pregnancy can cause serious withdrawal symptoms in newborn babies, such as neonatal abstinence syndrome

Alcohol
Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause physical deformities, heart defects, mental retardation, and lifelong physical and behavioral problems. There is no safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while she is pregnant.

Smoking
Cigarette smoking passes nicotine and other dangerous chemicals to your baby. Smoking also increases the risk of a premature birth or stillbirth.

For more information on the effects of smoking during pregnancy and help on quitting smoking, visit Tobacco Free Florida.

Additional Resources

Born Drug Free Florida: 800-945-1355
Initiative to raise awareness about babies born exposed to prescription drugs and educate expectant mothers about the importance of discussing prescription drug use with their doctors to get the assistance they need.

Family Health Line: 800-451-2229

Treatment Resources

Treatment Referral Helpline: 800-662-4357 
Free and confidential information in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Substance Abuse
The Florida Department of Children and Families' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program is responsible for the oversight of a statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders.

Florida's Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network
The Florida Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, and Agency for Health Care Administration have partnered to implement a network of addiction care in Florida. This innovative program is the first of its kind in the country, expanding a state-supported cohesive coordinated system of addiction care for individuals suffering from Substance Use Disorder.