Publications

 

Massey, S. H., Lieberman, D. Z., Reiss, D., Leve, L. D., Shaw, D., Neiderhiser, J. M. (2011). Association of clinical characteristics and cessation of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy. American Journal on Addictions, 20, 143–150. PMC: 3052631

 

Abstract: Pregnancy is a time of relative urgency and opportunity for the treatment of substance use disorders in women, yet little is known about modifiable factors that contribute to successful abstinence. We examined self-worth, depression, anxiety, and novelty seeking in the context of substance use cessation during pregnancy in a sample of women with a high prevalence of substance abuse. Subjects were 448 birth mothers who participated in a prospective adoption study. Discontinuation rates were: tobacco 22.2%, alcohol 64.7%, marijuana 77.2%, and other drugs, 73.7–100%.Depression, anxiety, and novelty seeking were lower among women who discontinued substance use, compared to those who did not. Self-worth was higher in women who discontinued substance use. Among 110 polysubstance users, the number of substances discontinued during pregnancy was correlated with depression, anxiety, and self-worth in the hypothesized direction. Possible clinical implications are discussed.