New motherhood brings joy, stress, and major changes. If you are a new mom in the Denver area and struggling with alcohol or drugs after giving birth, you are not alone. Getting compassionate, timely care can protect your health and support your family.
This guide explains why postpartum women face unique risks, what substance use looks like after childbirth in Colorado, how postpartum addiction treatment works, and how Women’s Recovery supports new moms here in Denver.
Why new mothers face unique risks for addiction
The weeks and months after giving birth, called the postpartum period, can be physically and emotionally intense. Understanding these pressures helps you recognize why you feel the way you do, and why treatment that centers women’s needs is so important.
The postpartum period and mental health
Postpartum depression is common. The CDC estimates that about 1 in 8 women report depressive symptoms after giving birth, including sadness, anxiety, irritability, sleep problems, appetite changes, and trouble bonding. This can affect decision making and energy levels, making it harder to ask for help or to follow through with appointments.
Without support, postpartum women may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with pain, stress, or sleep loss. This can lead to a substance use disorder, or worsen an existing one.
Hormones, sleep, pain, and prescriptions
Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can increase depressive symptoms, and sleep deprivation for new mothers is often intense. Night feedings, infant care, and stress make sleep short and broken. Lack of sleep can worsen depression and cravings.
Many new mothers also have pain after childbirth. Some are prescribed opioid pain relievers or other prescription medications. Without careful guidance, these medicines can raise risk for misuse or relapse, especially for those with past substance use.
To complicate matters, physical recovery and lactation can affect how the body responds to alcohol and drugs. Even small amounts of alcohol use can hit harder when you are exhausted or not eating well.
Social and environmental factors that raise risk
Support systems matter. Marital status, partner support, and family help can shape a mother’s ability to attend appointments and rest. New mothers often feel pressure to “do it all.”
Environmental factors, such as housing, food security, and transportation, can create barriers to care. Trauma history, including birth trauma, prior violence, or loss, can intensify postpartum depression and increase risk for substance use. Many women also report guilt or fear of judgment, which can delay care.
Substance use after childbirth in Colorado
Colorado’s maternal health data show serious concerns related to mental health, overdose, and suicide in the first year after delivery. Knowing the local picture helps families and clinicians act early.
What we know about local trends
The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee reports that unintentional overdose and suicide are the two leading causes of maternal deaths in the year after giving birth. The peak period for overdose can occur months after delivery. As physical recovery advances, some women may restart alcohol or drug use, or increase doses, which raises overdose risk because tolerance has dropped.
Postpartum substance use is also often underreported. Shame, stigma, and fear about child custody can keep mothers silent.
Substances used postpartum
Common substances used include:
- Alcohol: Alcohol use is legal and common, which can make it seem safer. For postpartum women with depressive symptoms, alcohol can worsen sleep, mood, and anxiety.
- Opioids: Opioid pain relievers may be started after cesarean birth or complicated delivery. Without a taper plan, risk for dependence can grow.
- Stimulant drugs: Illicit drug use, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, can spike postpartum due to fatigue and stress.
- Marijuana: Marijuana use is common in Colorado. Still, THC can affect mood and functioning and may not be safe during breastfeeding. Talk with your clinician about risks.
- Tobacco: Cigarette smokers may increase use under stress, which affects health and recovery.
Many women use more than one substance. Polysubstance use raises overdose risk, especially with alcohol and opioids.
Risk factors and relapse triggers after giving birth
Risk factors for substance use and relapse include:
- Pain flares, pelvic floor injury, or surgical recovery
- Severe sleep disruption, night feeding, and exhaustion
- Postpartum depression and anxiety that go untreated
- History of trauma or prior substance use disorder
- Loss of support, isolation, or relationship conflict
- Returning to work or school without a support plan
- Access to prescription medications without clear guidance
Early support can keep you safe, protect your baby, and support bonding.
How Women’s Recovery supports new moms in Denver
Women’s Recovery is built for women, and our Denver team understands postpartum needs. We offer gender-specific, trauma-informed care that respects your role as a mother and your goals for recovery.
Our trauma-informed, women-centered approach includes:
- Care that understands women’s health: Our clinicians focus on the unique ways pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period affect mental health and substance use.
- Respect and privacy: We know stigma and fear can keep mothers quiet. Drug abuse and substance abuse are not moral failings: they are health conditions that respond to treatment. We provide a nonjudgmental space to share, learn, and heal.
- Coordinated care: With your consent, we can coordinate with your OB-GYN, pediatrician, or primary care provider to support safe treatment plans.
- Personalized treatment plans: Your plan may include individual therapy, group sessions, recovery education, and support for co-occurring postpartum depression and anxiety.
- Practical skills for home: Life skills training, parenting support, and relapse prevention help you navigate feeding schedules, sleep, and stress.
- Safety focus: Education around overdose risk, especially with polysubstance use, is built into care.
Postpartum substance use disorders often start as coping. With support, you can learn safer ways to manage stress, pain, and depressive symptoms. If you are a new mom struggling with addiction, we invite you to seek treatment in a setting that understands your life so you can show up for yourself and your child.
A note on safety and community resources
If you suspect overdose, call 911. If you need immediate support or a referral outside of Denver, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. Community resources can complement treatment services, including parenting groups, lactation support, and peer recovery groups. Ask your care team for referrals.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, many new mothers start outpatient programs while caring for an infant.
This is common and treatable. Co-occurring care addresses mood, anxiety, trauma, and substance use together. With the right treatment options and support, many women see depressive symptoms improve within weeks, and recovery becomes more stable. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call 988 or 911 right away.
Yes. Denver has women-focused programs that understand postpartum needs. Our team provides women’s addiction treatment in Denver with a trauma-informed approach. Ask about flexible scheduling, coordination with your OB-GYN or pediatrician, and support for planning childcare during sessions.
Many women improve within weeks to months with treatment. Some have symptoms for up to 1 year or longer without care. Early treatment can shorten the course and reduce relapse risk.
Hormonal shifts, sleep loss, pain, stress, trauma history, lack of support, and medical complications can all trigger depressive symptoms.
It can. Some women use alcohol to cope with mood and sleep problems. This can become alcohol use disorder. Integrated care addresses both mood and alcohol use.
Recovery is not linear. Many people have multiple relapses before long-term stability. Each return to use is a signal to adjust the treatment plan and support.
Rehab is the structured phase of treatment. Recovery is the ongoing process of healing, community, and health.
Hours vary by program and level of care. Ask about weekly session counts, daytime or evening options, and how the schedule can fit infant care.
Postpartum substance use help in Denver
Postpartum depression, anxiety, and substance use often overlap, and they are treatable. A comprehensive plan can help you stabilize mood, reduce or stop alcohol and drug use, and build or rebuild confidence as a parent. With trauma-informed care, practical skills, and a team that understands the realities of early motherhood, recovery is within reach.
If you are seeking postpartum addiction recovery in Denver, compassionate support is available. We will meet you where you are, help you build a plan that fits your life, and walk with you as you heal.
