Alcohol, Nicotine, Substance Use

The Alcohol and Substance Use Helpline - 1-877-327-4636
offers information and counseling to pregnant and breastfeeding women, their families, and health care providers. Helpline information is based on continuing research and study by Motherisk's specialized team of physicians, psychologists, pharmacologists and counselors.

• Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in each of Canada's time zones
• toll free within Canada
• in English or French

• the possible effects of alcohol and other substances on your baby
• referrals to services in home communities
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome assessments at The Hospital for Sick Children
• laboratory tests for drugs and alcohol in babies

Some Myths and Facts about Alcohol and Substance Use

MYTH: "Alcohol or drugs taken after the first trimester will not affect the unborn baby."
FACT:Most organ development is completed a few weeks after the first trimester. Brain development continues throughout pregnancy and after birth. Exposure to substances any time in the pregnancy can affect the baby's brain. Call the Helpline to understand the risks better.

MYTH: "A breastfeeding mother can provide more breast milk for her baby by drinking beer."
FACT: When a mother drinks alcohol it passes into her breast milk. Studies have shown that infants take in less breast milk when the mother drinks any type of alcohol, including beer. Call the Helpline for the facts on the effects of alcohol while breastfeeding.

MYTH: "One drink in pregnancy is enough to harm the unborn baby."
FACT: A safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy is not known. It is unlikely, though, that a single drink before you knew you were pregnant could damage your unborn baby. Avoid drinking when you know you are pregnant and call the Helpline to talk about how drinking during pregnancy can affect your unborn baby's development.

MYTH: "There is no hope for a baby exposed to heavy drug and alcohol use."
FACT: There is always hope. Drug and alcohol use in pregnancy affects each baby differently. Call for information on the risks of birth defects and where to find prenatal support.

To order the new PREGNANT? poster and related materials
In March 2008, the Prevention Working Group of FASD Stakeholders for Ontario released provincial awareness materials and strategies about alcohol and pregnancy. These alcohol and pregnancy materials were funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario Region. The funding, plus a substantial commitment of time and expertise from the Working Group members, allowed the Prevention Working Group to design and test a range of awareness materials, make them available electronically and in print, and to make modest provincial media buys, including mall ads and interior bus, street car and subway ads. To read more about this awareness initiative visit the Best Start Resource Centre.

Electronic Resources - A range of materials are available electronically for use by local interest groups and organizations. English and French.

Print Resources - Some items are available in print. Posters, tear off pads, bookmarks and static clings are available at cost though the Best Start Resource Centre online resource order system. English and French.

Displays for Loan - In addition, displays are available for loan through the Best Start Resource Centre. English and French.

Further Reading

• Preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Preconception counseling and diagnosis help
  Suzanne C. Tough, PHD Margaret Clarke, MD Sterling Clarren, MD
• Is it all right to drink a little during pregnancy?
  Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC Daniella Caprara, MSC Daphne Chan, PHD Sheila Jacobson, MD Kelly Porter
• Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding: Will it harm my baby?
  Gideon Koren, MD, FRCP
• Nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy
  Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC
• Fetal alcohol syndrome: Role of the family physician
  Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC; Ronen Loebstein, MD; Irena Nulman, MD
• Neonatal hair test for cocaine:Toronto experience
  Gideon Koren, MD FRCPC; Julia Klein, MSC
• Children of Neverland
  Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC
• Survey of phyisicians knowledge regarding awareness of maternal alcohol use and the diagnosis of FAS.
  Gideon Koren, MD FRCPC; Nevin AC, Parshuram C, Nulman I, Einarson A.
• Cocaine use by pregnant women in Toronto
  Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC

Other information at Motherisk

• Newsletter: Spring 1999, No. 10
• In-Utero Exposure to Drugs - Monitoring and biological markers
• Alcohol and Recreational Drugs