It's no news flash that substance use disorder plagues the United States. In fact, 1 in 5 women struggle with substance use disorder during pregnancy. The stigmatization of women with substance use disorder during pregnancy leads to spotty prenatal care, increased risks of prenatal complications and exacerbation of substance use.
Implementing community outreach programs that help to fill in the gaps for prenatal care for these women is imperative to the health and well-being of these women and infants. Substance use disproportionally affects nonwhite women, and many of these women face discrimination, undignified and disrespectful treatment, the risk of legal repercussions, and often lack access to equitable care. Community outreach programs would provide access to equitable care where women live, helping to remove barriers to care such as transportation. This gives the opportunity for providers to build trusting relationships with individuals.
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Chelsea Murphy-Prive, a registered nurse, is currently attending the University of Connecticut to become a neonatal nurse practitioner.
Medication for opiate use disorder (MOUD) is an underutilized treatment option for many individuals, despite its recommendation from experts. Stigmatization, discrimination, lack of provider knowledge and misunderstanding about neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) are all barriers that prevent women from receiving MOUD treatment.
Community outreach programs would enable women to receive reliable, destigmatized and knowledgeable treatment. The safety and efficacy of MOUD treatment programs for pregnant women has been confirmed by recent studies and is the standard OUD treatment among pregnant and postpartum individuals, and it saves lives daily. Treatment with MOUD increases engagement in prenatal care, as well as addiction care, and can improve outcomes for parents and infants.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced two grants to fund the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder totaling approximately $17 million in 2023. Similar grants could help to pilot programs within communities and would reduce the financial burden of the community to help provide these services.
Why does this matter? Why should the community come together to support these people in their treatment? It is imperative to help provide treatment for the long-term health of the community itself, as substance use in pregnancy can lead to substantial long-term health problems for the pregnant person and infant. By creating networks within the community, care can be individualized and tailored to the specific needs of the community that it serves.
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Treatment options and education for alcohol and nicotine abuse is potentially very different from that of cocaine or other illicit substances. This also helps to create a bigger base of support for individuals who truly may not have any other sources of support other than their community. It is the responsibility of all of us within our communities to support and advocate for those without a voice. Women of color and low socioeconomic status are at a much higher risk for stigmatization, lack of access to equitable care and legal repercussions in the setting of substance use disorder during pregnancy.
In August, the Biden-Harris administration awarded over $558 million in funds to improve maternal health through voluntary home visiting programs. State money was matched by federal funds, and will help to promote early and ongoing engagement in prenatal care and postpartum support within the community. Recipients of the funding are charged with developing and implementing evidence-based programs that will meet the specific needs of their communities.
The state of Maine received a total of $7,345,115 in funding. It's the responsibility of the community to speak up and contact legislators and representatives, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services of Maine, to support the development of specific maternal programs for women struggling with substance abuse within the community.
Care networks within the community would help to bridge the gap in prenatal care often seen in this population and provide sustainable and trustworthy health care for these individuals. Unlike humans, substance use disorder doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care how much is in your bank account, how good your neighborhood is, the color of your skin, your level of education or background. All it takes is one situation, one thing to happen, and it could be you battling through the storm of substance use disorder and watching it take over your life.
These individuals are people. They are someone's sibling, child, partner and friend. As has been said time and time again, we are only as strong as our weakest link. It's time for our communities to rally behind these women and support them during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Not just for their sake, but for the sake of their children and our society. It's time to take a stand, and demand that these individuals receive access to equitable, holistic, and comprehensive care from knowledgeable providers. The same standard of practice that we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.
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