A simple method to identify alcohol and other drug use in pregnant adults in a prenatal care setting.

Identification of women who use alcohol and other drugs while pregnant must occur as early as possible during the course of prenatal care so that interventions can be applied that may decrease the effects of alcohol and other drugs use on the newborn infant. This method for screening pregnant adults (a separate method is used for pregnant teenagers) who come for prenatal care is designed to be incorporated into the routine medical history interview and physical examination performed in all new prenatal patients. It explains how to ask pregnant women directly about alcohol and other drug use and how to determine the significance of their use. Common risk factors for alcohol and other drug use in pregnant women are described. Use of a Risk Assessment Worksheet is suggested as a means to determine which women may need further evaluation for possible alcohol and other drug use. Ways to ask pregnant women about continuing use at subsequent prenatal visits are also mentioned. Finally, suggested criteria for referring alcohol- and other drug-using women identified by this method for treatment of chemical dependence are supplied.