Alcohol has an extremely deleterious effect on foetal development, and on the social outcomes later in life of the child.[1] This impact places an economic burden on society, making prevention of prenatal alcohol use a health priority.[1] However, detailed interview research has suggested that where pregnant women find policies threatening, they are discouraged from engaging with substance-use treatment during their pregnancy.[3] Barriers to seeking treatment include a general lack of treatment options, and difficulty in finding any treatment options that are available.[3]
References:
[1] Popova S, Dozet D, Shield K, et al. Alcohol’s impact on the fetus. Nutrients 2021; 13 (10): 3452.