Perinatal substance use

Woman holding and kissing infant on the cheek.

Getting pregnant and having a baby can motivate people to make changes in their life. This can include substance use, such as alcohol, cannabis, commercial tobacco, vapour, and unregulated substances. Learn more: Pregnant or newly parenting with substance use - BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre

While there is no safe amount of substance use during pregnancy, there are ways to reduce unintentional (accidental) harms for parents and their babies. This includes safety planning, keeping homes and vehicles smoke and vapour free, and reducing overdose risk. Learn more: Understanding harm reduction: Substance use - HealthLink BC

Stigma exists around substance use and parenting (watch the video: Women Together. Conquer Stigma. Perinatal Substance Use). To address the stigma, Northern Health is educating our staff who care for families with new babies at risk of substance withdrawal (PDF for print purposes).

Explore the resources below if you’d like more information for yourself or someone you care about. Families with perinatal substance use issues many also have challenges with their mental health. If you or someone you know needs help, reach out: Perinatal mental health.

Local substance use supports in Northern BC

Email us at HealthyStart@northernhealth.ca if you’re aware of local substance use support services available in your community that are not listed here, or if any of the information is incorrect.

All communities

Mental health and substance use programs

Northern Health provides a wide range of programs and services to assist persons and their family experiencing difficulties with mental health and/or substance use.
This includes intensive case management teams and overdose prevention through opioid agonist treatment (OAT) in various communities in Northern BC.
Website: Mental health and substance use programs and services and services by community – Northern Health

Northern Health and Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic

Offers support around substance use treatment such as opioid agonist therapy (OAT), or safer pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs.
This includes alcohol and substance use services in pregnancy and up to 8 weeks postpartum.
Phone: 1-844-645-7811
Website: Virtual Clinic – Northern Health

Substance use support in BC and Canada

Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service (ADIRS)

Available 24/7 for information on where counselling is available in your area
Phone: 1-800-663-1441

British Columbia Centre on Substance Use

Dealing with substance use and addiction in your family
Website: Resources for families and caregivers - BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU)

Opioid Treatment Access Line

Find same-day care for opioid addiction
Phone: 1-833-804-8111
Website: Find Same-Day Care for Opioid Addiction – HelpStartsHere

Suicide Crisis Helpline

If you are thinking of suicide, help is available. Reach out to a trained responder 24/7.
Phone: 9-8-8
Website: Get Help 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Toward the Heart: BC Take Home Naloxone program

Life-saving kits available at no cost for people at risk of an opioid overdose.
They are also available for people likely to witness or respond to an overdose such as a family member or friend of someone at risk.
Website: Find a site - Toward the Heart

Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society: Substance Use and Trauma Treatment Centre

Provides confidential outreach services such as counselling, cultural supports, and personal wellness programs.
Toll-free: 1-888-403-3123
Website: Substance Use and Trauma Treatment Centre

Featured resources

Cannabis – Northern Health
Caring for your baby at risk of substance use withdrawal – Fraser Health and BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre
Moms stop the harm
Perinatal substance use – BC Women’s Hospital
Smoking and commercial tobacco reduction – Northern Health
Stop stigma, save lives – Northern Health
Taking care: A short guide for breastfeeding and substance use – Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health

Featured NH Stories

For more information

Email us at HealthyStart@northernhealth.ca
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day – HelpStartsHere
For information about substance use support in local First Nations communities, see Harm reduction - First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)