Pregnancy and the Rising Challenge of Opioid Dependency: A Summary of Potential Solutions

Subst Use Misuse. 2024 Oct 28:1-4. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2421815. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing incidence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women in the United States constitutes a significant public health concern, jeopardizing both maternal and fetal health. Proposed solutions include opioid maintenance therapy, telemedicine, and integrated prenatal care centers. These strategies seek to mitigate harm and enhance therapeutic accessibility, yet encounter obstacles, including stigma, technological access, and ethical problems. While opioid maintenance therapy stabilizes addiction, telemedicine expands access, and integrated centers streamline care, each strategy requires policy support, community acceptance, and further evaluation to optimize outcomes for pregnant women with OUD.

PMID:39466633 | DOI:10.1080/10826084.2024.2421815