News Articles
Substance Use
SAMSHA ADVISORY: LOW BARRIER MODELS OF CARE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS: Despite robust evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of medications and psychosocial treatment interventions for substance use disorders (SUDs), less than 10 percent of people who need treatment have sustained access to care. In 2021, only 22.1 percent of people with a past year opioid use disorder (OUD) reported receiving medications for the treatment of their opioid misuse, and only 6.3 percent of people with a past year illicit drug or alcohol use disorder reported receiving any substance use treatment. Most people who could benefit from treatment do not receive it due to systemic barriers and access issues which are even greater for historically underserved communities. Low barrier care is a model for treatment that seeks to minimize the demands placed on clients and makes services readily available and easily accessible. It also promotes a non-judgmental, welcoming, and accepting environment.
Overdose deaths increased in pregnant and postpartum women from early 2018 to late 2021 - Drug overdose deaths rose markedly between January to June 2018 and July to December 2021 among 10- to 44-year-old girls and women who were pregnant or pregnant within the previous 12 months, according to a new study by researchers at National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health.
Prenatal cannabis exposure associated with mental disorders in children that persist into early adolescence - NIH funded results add to growing scientific evidence of negative health effects of cannabis use during pregnancy
Abstract: Previous research suggests gaps in well child care (WCC) adherence, quality, and effectiveness for children impacted by parental opioid use disorder (OUD). The objective of this study was to gather in-depth information regarding maternal and clinician-reported factors that enhance (“facilitators”) or hinder (“barriers”) WCC engagement as well as mothers’ experiences during WCC visits.
Unpacking Perinatal Experiences with Opioid Use Disorder: Relapse Risk Implications - Abstract: While pregnancy presents a strong motivation to seek and comply with treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), many women relapse within the first year of childbirth. Addressing relapse risk, we examined the perinatal experiences of mothers with OUD through 6 months postpartum. Mothers described their social, physical, emotional, and psychological perinatal experiences. Seven themes categorically informed relapse risk (i.e., related to childhood bond, mother-infant attachment, birth support, child protective services, breastfeeding, mental health, and recovery planning). In conclusion, we noted a critical window in which clinical social workers and other health/behavioral health providers have the opportunity to capitalize on mothers' desire not to “ever want to touch it again."
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Maternal Opioid-Related Diagnoses in the US, 2010-2017 - Abstract: Substantial increases in both neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and maternal opioid use disorder have been observed through 2014. To examine national and state variation in NAS and maternal opioid-related diagnoses (MOD) rates in 2017 and to describe national and state changes since 2010 in the US, which included expanded MOD codes (opioid use disorder plus long-term and unspecified use) implemented in International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification.
Policies
Abstract: Over the past decade, states have passed several laws on prenatal drug use, including “maltreatment laws” deeming prenatal drug use child maltreatment, “reporting laws” requiring providers to report prenatal drug use to Child Protective Services (CPS) and “criminalization laws” that criminalize prenatal drug use.