The treatment of pregnant women suffering from a disorder of misuse or dependence to illicit drugs (opiates, cannabinoids, psychostimulants, benzodiazepines) means an interdisciplinary challenge with a high responsibility.

Because of the specific characteristic of these women to play things down often the pregnancy is diagnosed very late. In addition the misuse of these substances is usually accompanied by severe smoking and drinking of alcohol. Therefore the toxic harmful consequences for mother and especially for the fetus, neonate or child are often difficult to differentiate from those of heavy smoking and of drinking alcohol.

Based on these facts, data describing the effects of the different illicit drugs on congenital complications and on the status of the fetus, neonate or child will be presented as well as different treatment procedures during pregnany. The indication or contraindication of withdrawal treatments of the different illicit drugs during pregnany will be presented. Special consideration of opioid maintenance treatment of pregnant women will be given.The value of treatment interventions within a multidisciplinary (social, psychological, pharmacological, obstetrics specialists, addiction psychiatry) package of care will be discussed. Depending on the available time an example of an interview with a pregnant woman who is dependent on illegal drugs will be given.