Addiction Counselors’ Perceptions of the Incarceration of Prenatal Substance Users

Date of Conferral

11-8-2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Brent Robbins

Abstract

Infants are exposed to alcohol and other illegal substances while in utero, making prenatal substance use a public health concern. Depending on the state, many have modified child welfare and fetal homicide laws to impose criminal sanctions against prenatal substance users. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experience of addiction counselors and their understanding of prenatal substance users in treatment. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis was the qualitative methodological design used for this study, accompanied by the conceptual framework of labeling theory. The research questions developed for this study involved addiction counselors’ perceptions on (a) the nature of substance use disorder among prenatal substance users; (b) psychosocial factors that contribute to their continued use; (c) stigma associated with prenatal substance use; and (d) punitive measure versus treatment. Seven licensed addiction counselors in the Mid-Atlantic region who satisfied the inclusion requirements participated in the semistructured interview. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and inductively coded into emerging themes. The findings indicated that lack of support, resources, and stigma are contributing factors to the continued use of prenatal substance users. The participants reported punitive measures would hinder prenatal substance users from seeking substance abuse treatment and prenatal care. Positive social change can be facilitated by the study's findings, which suggest that state legislators and prosecutors need to be educated about substance use disorders in order to help improve or create treatment programs tailored to the needs of pregnant substance users.

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