Harnessing AI Chatbots to Support Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder

Recent research highlights the promising role of AI chatbots in assisting pregnant women dealing with opioid use disorder (OUD). The stigma often associated with addiction discourages many expectant mothers from seeking help, facing judgment or unsupportive responses from healthcare providers and loved ones. Drew Herbert, a doctoral student at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing and experienced nurse, emphasized that conversations about opioid use can be tough, with women frequently told to simply quit or consider their baby's health, which may overlook the complexities of addiction and withdrawal risks.

Acknowledging that some individuals feel more comfortable consulting anonymous online platforms, Herbert explored whether GPT-4, a sophisticated language model, could be ethically and safely employed to provide empathetic, accurate, and supportive guidance for pregnant women with OUD. His team developed a proof-of-concept where GPT-4, named 'Jade', was prompted with a scenario of a pregnant woman seeking help to quit opioids.

The chatbot responded with gratitude and encouragement, then offered evidence-based options such as medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine, which helps manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms—crucial for creating a safer pregnancy environment. Using motivational interviewing techniques, the AI aimed to empower women rather than simply instruct them, aligning with best practices in addiction counseling.

When asked about local treatment options, Jade provided lists of clinics, telemedicine providers, and reputable directories like SAMHSA and ASAM. The responses, evaluated by experienced clinicians, were deemed safe, accurate, and highly relevant in over 96% of cases.

Herbert envisions this technology as a valuable supplement to existing healthcare, especially amid clinician shortages, where it can serve as a first point of contact, disseminate trustworthy information, and guide users towards professional help. He plans to refine the chatbot further, incorporating feedback from clinicians and women with lived experience. Ultimately, this approach aims to democratize access to reliable treatment information, reduce barriers to care, and support healthier pregnancies.

This innovative work was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-ai-chatbots-pregnant-women-opioid.html