A Person-Centered Approach to Perinatal Substance Use

Pregnancy and early motherhood are often painted as joyful, transformative times. But for many, they’re also filled with complex emotions, trauma, and the weight of substance use. If you’re navigating recovery while pregnant or postpartum, know this: you are not alone, and you are worthy of care that sees all of you—not just your diagnosis.

What Is Person-Centered Care?

Person-centered care means you’re treated as a whole person—not just a person with a substance use disorder. It honors your lived experience, your strengths, and your goals. In perinatal substance use treatment, this approach:

• Respects your autonomy and choices about your body and recovery.
• Centers your voice in treatment planning.
• Acknowledges trauma and avoids re-traumatization.
• Builds trust through nonjudgmental, inclusive care.

Substance Use in Pregnancy: Breaking the Stigma

Many pregnant individuals delay or avoid care because of fear—fear of being judged, criminalized, or misunderstood. But substance use disorder is a health issue, not a crime or moral failing. Recovery is possible, and it starts with compassionate support.

You deserve providers who:

• Ask about your needs, not just your symptoms.
• Offer harm reduction strategies to improve your safety and the safety of your baby.
• Understand that healing takes time and support—not punitive approaches.
• Advocate for pregnant women with SUD across health systems and the child welfare system

Trauma-Informed Support Matters

Trauma-informed care recognizes that many people with substance use histories have also experienced trauma. It means:

• You’re never forced into treatment decisions. Your choices about birthing and what would make you feel safer are encouraged
• Your boundaries are respected.
• You’re offered choices, not ultimatums.

This approach is especially important during pregnancy and postpartum, when vulnerability is high and systems often fail to protect pregnant women.

What Recovery Can Look Like

Recovery during the perinatal period is not one-size-fits-all. It might include:

• Medication-assisted treatment (like buprenorphine or methadone).
• Therapy that honors your identity and lived experience.
• Peer support from others who’ve walked this path.
• Holistic tools like mindfulness, art, or movement.

You might be pregnant, parenting, grieving, healing, or all three. Your recovery is valid in every form.

You Deserve Inclusive, Affirming Care

Whether you’re cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, queer, or navigating motherhood in your own way, your identity matters. Person-centered care affirms who you are and adapts to your needs—not the other way around.

Final Thoughts

You are a whole person deserving dignity, safety, and support. Recovery is possible—and it begins with care that sees you. At Fine Tune Psychiatry we support pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder and mental health conditions. We can help you and your baby thrive.