Barriers to Disclosure and Treatment for Substance Use During Pregnancy: Findings from a Narrative Synthesis

Pregnant women experience significant barriers to disclosing substance use and accessing treatment services, with serious implications for both maternal and fetal health. Despite the importance of this issue, no literature review has previously synthesised the available evidence. This review brings together current literature on the barriers to disclosure and treatment engagement among pregnant women who use substances

The findings underscore the need for integrated care models that address these barriers and support early interventions to encourage disclosure and treatment uptake. Future research should examine how different groups of women are affected by these challenges to inform more targeted, culturally responsive, and equitable interventions.