RISE Recovery & Integration Service Substance Use & Pregnancy Liz 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 disorder 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?