Grace Bechtel, a recovering addict and mother, highlights the challenges of finding help as a mother, saying, "I didn’t even know how to take care of myself." This reflects the complex struggle faced by many women in similar situations.
A 2023 study revealed that "substance use" contributed to over half of Kentucky's maternal deaths, underlining the serious health risks women face in states with restrictive abortion laws amidst the opioid crisis.
The recovery specialist pointed out that mental health issues, including suicide and overdose, represent a leading cause of death among pregnant women and new mothers in the U.S., particularly exacerbated by the near-total abortion ban in Kentucky.
Despite Kentucky increasing its drug treatment resources by 50% over the past five years, the link between motherhood and rising "deaths of despair" continues to pose severe risks for women, highlighting systemic issues in healthcare.
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