Factors Influencing Maternal Substance Use and Recovery in the Perinatal Period

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorders (SUD) in the perinatal period have risen dramatically over the past 2 decades. Substance use disorders can have deleterious effects on maternal-infant health. Recovery can improve quality of life but can be challenging for women with SUD in the perinatal period. It is important for health care providers to have an understanding of factors associated with maternal substance use and recovery. Objective: The purpose of this qualitative review was to identify factors influencing substance use and recovery in women with SUD in the perinatal period. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the databases of CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PubMed along with a manual search of Google Scholar. The studies were assessed using criteria from the Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research. Results: Findings from 16 qualitative studies were synthesized. Six descriptive subthemes identifying factors influencing substance use and recovery were revealed: (1) Infant Care, (2) Stigma, (3) Social Settings Involving Substance Use, (4) Internalized Stigma and Mental Health Symptoms, (5) Addiction Concerns, and (6) Coping Abilities. Conclusions: Participants described external and internal factors that influenced their substance use and recovery. The findings suggest health care providers refer women to residential addiction treatment, use destigmatizing language, promote access to peer services, and provide trauma-informed care.