Drug Use During Pregnancy

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National Institute on Drug Abuse -  NIDA NOTES
Tearoff
Volume 10, Number 1
January/February 1995

Drug Use During Pregnancy


NIDA's National Pregnancy and Health Survey, conducted during 1992, is the first national survey of drug use among pregnant women in the United States. The survey collected data from a representative sample of the 4 million women who delivered babies during 1992. Data from the survey, presented in the chart below, provide the best estimates to date of the number of American women who use drugs during pregnancy and their patterns of drug use. (See story this issue)

Substance Used% Pregnant Women# Pregnant Women
Any illicit drug(1)5.5220,900
Marijuana2.9118,700
Cocaine1.145,100
Crack0.934,800
Other cocaine0.312,700
Methamphetamine0.14,500
Heroin0.13,600
Methadone0.13,400
Inhalants0.312,100
Hallucinogens0.28,700
Nonmedical use of any psychotherapeutics(2)1.561,200
Amphetamines0.01,200
Sedatives0.310,300
Tranquilizers0.01,900
Analgesics1.248,700
Alcohol18.8756,900
Cigarettes20.4819,700
Medical use of any psychotherapeutics(3)10.2412,300
Amphetamines0.313,400
Sedatives3.6144,100
Tranquilizers1.455,400
Analgesics7.6305,200

(1)Use of marijuana, cocaine (all forms), methamphetamine, heroin, methadone, inhalants, hallucinogens, or nonmedical use of psychotherapeutics during pregnancy.
(2)Nonmedical use of any prescription amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, or analgesics during pregnancy.
(3)Medical use of any prescription amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, or analgesics during pregnancy.

From NIDA NOTES, January/February, 1995


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