Substance Use Disorder & Pregnancy
Published on August 21, 2026
Use of alcohol, illicit drugs and other substances affects individuals, families and communities across San Antonio and the nation, including during pregnancy.
Why It Matters
Substance use disorder is a chronic condition, like asthma or diabetes, not a moral failing — and it is treatable.
Stigma prevents people from seeking help and worsens health outcomes.
Hearing personal stories can change perspectives and build empathy in our community.
Hear the Story
Real-life voices show how personal and different each journey can be. These stories are not just statistics. These are real stories of strength and resilience through difficult times.
When we hear the story, we can better understand, reduce judgment and shine a light on hidden problems women face when they're pregnant and dealing with substance use disorder.
Research shows that the fear of judgment in healthcare settings often makes pregnant women delay or skip care, which puts both them and their babies at greater risk. One national study found that pregnant women who used substances were an estimated 70% more likely to not receive adequate prenatal care compared to those who did not use substances.
The fear of being stigmatized, being reported, of automatically losing children to the foster care system can make it harder to reach out for help, at a time when support is needed most. We invite you to hear their story.
Opioid Storytelling
This storytelling series features people in substance use recovery who sought treatment during pregnancy. Metro Health is profoundly grateful to these storytellers for their willingness to share their journey.
Substance use in pregnancy does not automatically reflect a lack of care. These stories reveal how stigma often keeps people from seeking the help they need and how empathy, evidence-based treatment and respectful care can change lives. By elevating these voices, Metro Health hopes to encourage understanding, strengthen engagement with prenatal care, recovery services, and create healthier communities.
Videos
Metro Health partnered with people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and public health professionals to develop this storytelling series. These first-hand stories highlight how experiences in healthcare can shape pregnancy, recovery, and health outcomes, while helping improve care for future families.
Supporting Recovery During Pregnancy
Every recovery journey is unique and help and resources are available. Metro Health encourages our community to learn more about helping people who wish to decrease substance use, explore available treatment and recovery resources, and support harm reduction, especially for pregnant people, as a step toward survival and healing. This article from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) explains more: Substance Use During Pregnancy
Building a Compassionate Community
Every person deserves to feel safe and supported when seeking care. To help create a more compassionate and informed community, Metro Health encourages community members and providers to:
- Hear these stories.
- Participate in free, evidence-based, trauma-informed training.
- Use the Substance Abuse Portal and Be Well Texas to find help for yourself or a loved one. This portal is a collaboration from Metro Health and San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD).
Metro Health is committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and improving maternal, infant, child and adolescent health across San Antonio and Bexar County. Healthy moms and healthy babies help build a healthier future for our community.
Events
Resources For Medical Providers
Maternal Health Resources