Treatment FAQ

what is the primary problem in initial addiction treatment for women of childbearing age?

by Eino Block Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Why don’t more women engage in addiction treatment?

Engagement in treatment and consequent long-term recovery are hampered by the primarily male orientation of traditional models of drug treatment and aftercare; by women-specific problems such as low self-esteem, low employability, and a lack of appropriate services to treat social, psychiatric, and medical disorders.

What are the effects of substance use on women?

Women face unique issues when it comes to substance use, in part influenced by: Scientists who study substance use have discovered that women who use drugs can have issues related to hormones, menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.

How many hospitals offer inpatient treatment for pregnant/postpartum women with opioid addiction?

Of hospital inpatient treatment facilities that offered specially designed programs for pregnant/postpartum women, 17 percent (9 facilities) operated an OTP, 85 percent (44 facilities) offered opioid detoxification services, and 60 percent (31 facilities) offered buprenorphine services (Figure 7).

How many Substance Use Treatment admissions are pregnant?

In 2012, TEDS collected data on 428,662 female admissions to substance use treatment who reported that they were aged 15 to 44 at treatment entry; of these, 5.0 percent—21,553 admissions—were pregnant at the time of admission.

What is the first line treatment for alcohol use disorder?

Naltrexone — For most newly diagnosed patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder, we suggest initial treatment with naltrexone. Naltrexone is our preferred choice due to its preferable dosing schedule and the ability to begin treatment for alcohol use disorder while the individual is still drinking.

How does maternal alcohol use affect development?

Alcohol present in a developing baby's bloodstream can interfere with the development of the brain and other critical organs, structures, and physiological systems. Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the United States.

What can be done to prevent alcohol use during pregnancy?

Doctors, nurses, or other health professionals can help prevent alcohol use during pregnancy in 5 ways:Provide alcohol screening and brief counseling to all women.Recommend birth control to women who are having sex (if appropriate), not planning to get pregnant, and drinking alcohol.More items...•

What are the effects of drugs in pregnancy?

Illicit Drugs Illicit drug use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, preterm labor, birth defects, stillbirth, withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth, a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor fetal growth rate, and cognitive and behavioral problems.

What condition is caused by using alcohol during pregnancy?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother's pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems.

What happens if you drink alcohol early in pregnancy?

Alcohol consumption in the first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and premature birth. Once the placenta forms and begins to function, then there is an increased risk of your baby having specific birth defects related to alcohol consumption.

Should a woman stop drinking before conceiving?

The best thing for you to do, as a couple, is to stop drinking alcohol when you decide to try to get pregnant and, just as with smoking, some health professionals would recommend stopping two to three months before trying to conceive.

What problems can smoking during pregnancy cause?

If you smoke while you are pregnant you are at increased risk of a wide range of problems, including miscarriage and premature labour. Babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), having weaker lungs and having an unhealthy low birth weight.

Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use

Substance Use While Pregnant and Breastfeeding

  • Substance use during pregnancy can be risky to the woman’s health and that of her children in both the short and long term. Most drugs, including opioids and stimulants, could potentially harm an unborn baby. Use of some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure in the mother, which ma...
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Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

  • It is important to note that treatment for substance use disorders in women may progress differently than for men. Women report using some substances for a shorter period of time when they enter treatment. However, women's substance use tends to progress more quickly from first use to addiction. Withdrawal may also be more intense for women. In some cases, women resp…
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The Importance of Including Women in Research

  • In the past, women were not included in most research because of the belief that women are more biologically complicated than men and that women were too busy caring for their children to participate in studies. However, excluding specific subgroups from research produces knowledge that only helps a portion of the public. Federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Heal…
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Learn More

  • For more information about substance use in women, visit: 1. NIDA’s Substance Use in Women Research Report 2. CDC’s Fact Sheet on Substance Use During Pregnancy
See more on nida.nih.gov

References

  1. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis...
  2. Tobacco, drug use in pregnancy can double risk of stillbirth. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/…
  1. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis...
  2. Tobacco, drug use in pregnancy can double risk of stillbirth. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/Pages/121113-s...
  3. Haight SC, Ko JY, Tong VT, Bohm MK, Callaghan WM. Opioid Use Disorder Documented at Delivery Hospitalization — United States, 1999–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:845–849. DOI: http://dx.do...
  4. Study finds increased cannabis use during pregnancy - www.nida.nih.gov/news-events/news …

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