MANAGEMENT OF DRUG DEPENDENCY, OVERDOSE, AND WITHDRAWAL IN THE OBSTETRIC PATIENT

Issues related to the use, abuse, and addiction with mood-altering sub stances could be the most daunting medical challenge of the 21st centu ry. This is a growing problem in obstetric practice. In this article, the author attempts to describe his approach to pregnant patients with substance use problems. General guidelines are reviewed and the manag ement of gravid women using the two drugs that are important causes of maternal and fetal harm, cocaine and alcohol, are discussed. These tw o agents are the prototypical agents for illicit and licit substance u se problems.