There is no evidence that having an abortion leads women to increase their alcohol, tobacco, and drug use over time. Most women, even those with unwanted pregnancies, reduce their alcohol use upon discovering pregnancy. Some women who are denied abortions may need additional support and resources to reduce and/or stop problematic alcohol, drug, and tobacco.
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ANSIRH’s Turnaway Study found no evidence that having an abortion leads women to increase use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. We compared telephone interview data over the course of five years from women who received abortions and women who were denied wanted abortions. We found that having an abortion does not lead women to increase alcohol, tobacco, and drug use and that a woman who has an abortion typically continues the same alcohol, tobacco, and drug use patterns they had prior to discovering their pregnancies.