A new study from Penn State, published in the journal Women’s Health, looks at the many challenges facing women seeking treatment for opioid use disorder – particularly as it relates to parenting and pregnancy. Previous research has shown that while treatment challenges exist for all genders, women seeking treatment for drug use often have different needs than men seeking treatment.
Study Methodology
To conduct the study, the Penn State research team interviewed three groups: women with current or past opioid use disorders who are using or have used medication for opioid use disorder, professionals working in substance use disorder treatment programs, and criminal justice professionals.
Challenges Related to Parenting
Three parenting-related themes emerged during the study: (1) women often have insufficient access to childcare – making it challenging to attend treatment appointments and meetings; (2) many women fear losing custody or access to their children if they seek treatment; and (3) women often prioritize their children’s needs over their own.
Challenges Related to Pregnancy
Three pregnancy-related themes also emerged: (1) physicians are often hesitant to prescribe medication for opioid use disorder to pregnant patients, (2) access to resources in rural areas is often inadequate, and (3) many women find navigating our complex health system difficult.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The study authors conclude that: “Systemic changes are needed to reduce pregnant and parenting women’s barriers to seeking medication for opioid use disorder. These include improved childcare support at treatment programs, which would assuage women’s barriers related to childcare, as well as their fears of losing access to their children if they spend time away from their children for treatment. An additional systemic improvement that may reduce barriers for these women is access to comprehensive, integrated care for their prenatal care, postpartum care, pediatric appointments, and appropriate substance use disorder treatment.”
Aware Recovery Care Is Here to Help
At Aware Recovery Care, we understand the challenges women face when seeking treatment. In many ways, our in-home addiction treatment model is an ideal solution to these challenges. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to opioids, other drugs, and/or alcohol and need help in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana, the recovery teams at Aware Recovery Care are here to help. And we come to you, regardless of where you live. Our unique in-home treatment model of care gives clients a significantly better chance of recovery than traditional inpatient rehab care. We are now offering Virtual Detox and Medication Assisted Treatment in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio as well. Please get in touch with one of our Recovery Specialists to learn more.
