For anyone researching addiction treatment or supporting a pregnant loved one, the gap between perception and medical guidance is worth understanding.
What the Research Found
Researchers from the University of Connecticut surveyed 622 women of childbearing age nationwide about their attitudes toward cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco use during pregnancy.
Among the 351 participants who had been pregnant, 25.9% reported using cannabis during pregnancy, compared with 23.6% for tobacco and 8.2% for alcohol.
Using a five point safety scale, participants rated cannabis as notably safer, with an average score of 3.85 out of 5, than alcohol at 4.86 or tobacco at 4.79, where a higher score meant participants viewed the substance as less safe.
Reported reasons for cannabis use included relief from nausea, anxiety, sleep problems, and pain, with the median frequency of use around twice weekly.
The researchers noted these findings reflect participants’ beliefs about safety rather than a clinical determination that cannabis is safe during pregnancy. The study’s authors called for targeted education and clearer public health messaging to close this gap.
Why Perception Matters for Treatment Seekers
A perception gap like this one matters because it can shape whether someone recognizes cannabis use during pregnancy as something to discuss with a doctor or addiction treatment provider.
Someone who believes cannabis is a low risk way to manage nausea or anxiety during pregnancy may not think to mention it during prenatal visits or seek support if use becomes difficult to control.
Cannabis is not risk free in pregnancy. This particular study focused on perception rather than health outcomes, so it did not measure fetal or birth effects directly.
Anyone using cannabis, alcohol, or another substance during pregnancy should talk with an OB-GYN or a treatment provider about safer alternatives for managing symptoms like nausea, anxiety, or pain.
Who Was Surveyed
The research reached a broad cross section of women of childbearing age, with an average age of about 29. Participants identified as White (65.9%), Black or African American (28.1%), Asian (5.9%), American Indian or Alaska Native (3.9%), or another race (4.7%), and 17.7% identified as Hispanic or Latino. The most common methods of cannabis use during pregnancy were joints and blunts.
What This Means for Treatment Seekers
For pregnant women and their families, this research is a reminder to ask providers directly about substance use rather than relying on general assumptions about what is or is not safe.
Treatment programs that specialize in pregnancy and postpartum care can help women manage symptoms without relying on unsupervised substance use, and can coordinate with an OB-GYN throughout pregnancy.
Exploring Treatment Options
If you or someone you love is pregnant and using cannabis, alcohol, or another substance regularly, consider these next steps:
- Talk with an OB-GYN or prenatal care provider about safer ways to manage nausea, anxiety, sleep problems, or pain
- Ask about specialized rehab programs for pregnant and postpartum mothers that coordinate addiction treatment with prenatal care
- Understand how insurance coverage for rehab may apply to prenatal and postpartum treatment programs
- Verify that any program offers medically reviewed guidance rather than general wellness advice
Rehab.com’s directory includes verified treatment centers with programs designed for pregnant and postpartum women. Call
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