October 2017

Volume 2, Issue 10: October 3, 2017

The ATTC Center of Excellence on Behavioral Health for Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Their Families (ATTC CoE-PPW) has launched Families In Focus, an e-newsletter for PPW programs. This publication contains updates on the work of the ATTC CoE-PPW, including new resources, training offerings, opportunities to connect with other PPW programs, and more. Visit www.attcppwtools.org to learn more about the ATTC CoE-PPW.

Research Update | PPW and Families in the Literature

• Association of methadone dose with substance use and treatment retention in pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder: This study examined methadone dose and treatment retention among pregnant women with opioid use disorder. Treatment for non-pregnant individuals with methadone doses ≥ 60 mg per day has been associated with improved treatment retention and decreased opioid misuse; while the treatment routes are the same for pregnant and non-pregnant individuals, no studies previously existed that could replicate the findings in pregnancy. Results from this study showed a significant positive relationship between average daily methadone dose during pregnancy and treatment retention. Women who received treatment of ≥ 60 mg of methadone throughout their pregnancies were more likely to remain in treatment and provide urine samples that were negative for illicit drugs during their pregnancies, but not during the first 60 days postpartum. Read full study here.

• Evolving a more nurturing society to prevent adverse childhood experiences: This study published in a recent edition of Academic Pediatrics explores the idea of building a framework for society to prevent adverse life experiences through development of more nurturing prosocial values. Evidence supports the fact that social conditions such as poverty, conflict, discrimination, and other social rejections are major contributors to psychological, behavioral, and health problems that affect much of the population. This article suggests that by prioritizing prosocial values through effective family and school prevention programs, risk for negative health-related outcomes will be reduced.

• Collaborative care shows promise for opioid and alcohol use disorders: This recent NIDA-funded study examined the use of collaborative care, as compared to traditional care, for patients with opioid (OUD) and alcohol use disorders (AUD) in regards to the treatment received and the likelihood of refraining from substance use six months after the intervention.  Collaborative care integrated a six-session brief psychotherapy and/or medications for addiction treatment (MAT) with either buprenorphine/naloxone (for OUD) or long-acting injectable naltrexone (for AUD). Usual care consisted of giving patients a number to schedule an appointment and a list of community referrals for treatment. The study found that patients who received collaborative care were more likely to receive evidence-based treatments and had lower rates of substance use after six months than those who received usual care. Researchers who performed this study suggest that collaborative care for OUD and AUD can be integrated into primary care settings effectively. Read full study here.

• Postpartum contraceptive use and rapid repeat pregnancy among women who use substances: In this recent study, researchers characterized postpartum contraceptive use and rates of rapid repeat pregnancy among women who used substances during their pregnancies. The study used an analysis of 161 pregnant women who were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial to treat substance use and completed assessments at 3-, 12-, and 24-months postpartum. Researchers found that past 30-day use of any substance was 52.4%, 58.3%, and 59.8% respectively; rates of any contraceptive use were 71.3%, 66.7%, and 65.3% respectively; and 28% of participants had a rapid repeat pregnancy by their 24-month follow up. Results of this study conclude that more innovative efforts are needed to promote effective contraceptive use in postpartum women in general, but especially in women who use substances.