Adolescent substance use and unplanned pregnancy: strategies for risk reduction.
Substance use among adolescents increases the risk of unplanned pregnancies, which then increases the risk of fetal exposure to addictive, teratogenic substances. Specific interventions are necessary to target pregnancy planning and contraception among reproductive-age substance users. Screening for substance use using the CRAFFT is recommended in all health care settings treating adolescent patients. Screening for tobacco and nicotine use is also recommended along with the provision of smoking cessation interventions. Using motivational interviewing style and strategies is recommended to engage adolescents in discussions related to reducing substance use, risky sexual behavior, and probability of unplanned pregnancy or late-detection pregnancy.
Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: hconnery@mclean.harvard.edu.
Hilary Smith
HS
Connery
Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital Adult Psychiatry Residency Program, 15 Parkman Street, Wang 812, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Brittany B
BB
Albright
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Clinical Psychology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
John M
JM
Rodolico
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
Adolescents; Contraception; Motivational interviewing; Substance use; Unintended pregnancy