Sexual Abuse as a Risk Factor for Opioid Misuse in Pregnancy

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to identify a potential relationship between childhood sexual abuse and opioid misuse in pregnancy and to illustrate the need for better integration and collaboration between the medical and psychological disciplines to combat the opioid crisis. We sampled 93 pregnant women at a high-risk pregnancy clinic within a university medical center who were in their second trimester or beyond. Fifty-five women were considered high-risk due to opioid misuse and 38 women were considered high-risk due to medical reasons other than drug use. Our findings reveal both presence of and severity of sexual abuse were significantly associated with opioid misuse in pregnancy, while physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect were not. While childhood sexual abuse is a significant risk factor for opioid misuse in pregnancy, most doctors do not feel comfortable asking about trauma history. A public health approach to opioid misuse in pregnancy must consider how “diseases of despair” disproportionately impact women with limited access to adequate psychological and medical care. A preventative model of care, which targets screenings for ACEs in primary care and gynecological visits may help decrease the impact of sexual abuse.