Alcohol and Other Drug Use During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, the safest option is to not drink alcohol or take drugs at all.
Content Map Terms
When you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, the safest option is to not drink alcohol at all. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy puts your baby at risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, also known as FASD. FASD is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. It is the leading known cause of developmental disability in children, and includes lifelong physical, learning and behavioural disabilities.
Similar to drinking alcohol while pregnant, taking drugs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may harm your baby. This includes prohibited drugs but could also include the misuse of prescribed or over the counter drugs.
For more information about FASD, the use of alcohol and other drugs (substance use) during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and where to find help, visit the resources and websites listed below.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
For information on FASD and the effects it can have on your baby's health, see:
Substance Use During Pregnancy
For more information about the use of alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy visit:
- Pregnancy and Alcohol Use (HealthLinkBC File #38d)
- Using Drugs During Pregnancy
Smoking During Pregnancy
For more information on smoking during pregnancy visit:
Substance Use While Breastfeeding
For resources related to breastfeeding and substance use, see Breastfeeding (HealthLinkBC File #70).
Support and Counselling
Individual, family, and small group counselling is available to people of all ages who are directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use. You can call the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service at 604-660-9382 or toll-free at 1-800-663-1441. For information about mental health and substance use, visit HeretoHelp
For additional mental health and substance use support in your area, search HealthLinkBC's FIND Services and Resources Directory.
Last Updated: June 2021
Find Services and Resources
If you are looking for health services in your community, you can use the HealthLinkBC Directory to find hospitals, clinics, and other resources.
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The wellbeing website helps people from all over British Columbia access supports and resources for mental health and substance use. Sometimes, you don’t know where to start. wellbeing.gov.bc.ca will help you access the right supports, at the right time that meet you where you are at.