Use and Misuse of Opioid Pain Medications by Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women

The use and misuse of opioid pain medication is a public health problem that has extended to pregnant women. Assessing both the use and misuse of opioid pain medication had been limited.

The aim of the present study was to disseminate data from a national sample of pregnant and nonpregnant women, tracking the rate and predictors of opioid use and misuse.

In 2015 the National Survey on Drug Use and Health expanded the assessment of opioid pain reliever use and misuse. Here, a secondary analysis of 2 years of National Survey on Drug Use and Health expanded data assesses the use and misuse of opioids in pregnant and nonpregnant women ranging in age from 18 to 44 years (N = 46,229).

Opioid medication use was reported by 31.89% of pregnant women and 38.87% of nonpregnant women. Race and pregnancy status were associated with risk, with pregnancy being protective and White women having significantly higher risk.

The high rates of use and misuse of opioids in pregnant women underscores a critical need for screening for opioid use and misuse, particularly among White women. Pregnancy provides a unique window of opportunity to educate, screen, and provide treatment.