Addiction of alcohol and other narcotic drugs seldom stops with pregnancy. If it continues from the preconception stage into pregnancy, it will have adverse effects on fetal development.

Consuming alcohol when you pregnant can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder which casues neurodevelopment conditions of various severities and is often associated with lifelong disability. Alcoholism needs to be stopped in the pre-conception stage itself as the damage will be done by the time she discovers that she is pregnant. If the pregnant woman continues with alcohol and drugs abuse, it can lead to neonatal withdrawal syndrome in the newborn.

Women need to be screened for substance abuse and interventions and treatments should be provided on a case to case basis. Pharmacological and psychological interventions can be used to treatment these self-destructive habits. Counselling and family planning advice can also be given during the postpartum period and in between pregnancies to families with a track record of substance abuse