Women Who Abuse Drugs While Pregnant Need Doctor’s Compassion, Not Stigma: Report
But a new report says women with substance abuse problems should be treated with compassion by health providers and society at large, especially during pregnancy, because addiction is a brain disorder and not a personal failing.
“It’s harmful for us to look upon pregnant women with addiction issues and assume it’s as simple as saying: ‘For the sake of the baby, stop using,’” said Colleen Dell, research chair in substance abuse at the University of Saskatchewan.
Dell was among a trio of experts discussing a report by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) released Monday in Ottawa, which calls on health professionals to provide non-judgmental information to women about the dangers to themselves and their newborns from substance abuse during pregnancy.
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