In Colorado, drug and alcohol use during pregnancy has become a life-and-death issue, and hospitals across the state are changing how they treat these patients.
Finding addiction treatment in Colorado can be hard for pregnant women who fear being judged, and that fear can keep them from getting help.
Why This Matters in Colorado
Accidental overdose is now the second-leading cause of death among people in Colorado during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth.
Between 2016 and 2020, 33 people in the state died of an overdose during pregnancy or in that first year.
Research shows that when patients fear judgment, they are less likely to tell their doctor about substance use, attend prenatal visits or seek treatment. That silence can be deadly.
How Colorado Hospitals Are Responding
A training program built by the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative aims to lower that stigma.
It was created with HardBeauty, a Colorado organization led by women who have lived through substance use and recovery.
Between 2023 and 2025, 1,454 healthcare workers completed the training across 33 hospitals, birth centers, and community organizations in Colorado.
Providers practiced talking with patients without shaming them and spent time in small groups with mothers in recovery who now work as peer support specialists.
Many of those conversations ended in tears and changed how staff saw their patients. A recent change in state law also means obstetricians can now start patients on medication for opioid use disorder.
Understanding Substance Use Disorder in Pregnancy
A substance use disorder is a medical condition, not a moral failing. Signs can include using more than intended, strong cravings, and being unable to stop despite harm.
During pregnancy, stopping certain drugs suddenly can be dangerous, so treatment should be guided by a medical professional. For opioids, medications like methadone and buprenorphine are considered safer than quitting cold turkey.
Finding Addiction Treatment in Colorado
If you are pregnant and struggling with drugs or alcohol, help is available, and asking for it is a sign of strength.
You can search addiction treatment centers in Colorado, ask your prenatal provider about options and look for programs that welcome pregnant and parenting patients. Addictions.com lists verified treatment centers nationwide. Call
800-681-1058
(
