Medication-assisted treatment vs. detoxification for women who misuse opioids in pregnancy: Associations with dropout, relapse, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), and childhood sexual abuse

Abstract

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for pregnant women who misuse opioids rather than detoxification because of possible relapse and dropout from treatment (ACOG, 2017). In a prospective study, fifty-five pregnant women with an opioid use disorder were offered a choice of MAT or detoxification. Ethical concerns precluded random assignment. We assessed dropout, treatment outcome, relapse, other illicit drug use, infant neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), and childhood sexual abuse. Of 55 women, 13 initially chose MAT and 42 women chose detoxification. All women received behavioral support. No one dropped out of treatment prior to delivery. All women who chose MAT initially remained on MAT. Of women who chose detoxification, 23% switched to MAT, 30% tapered below initial MAT doses, and 45% fully detoxified by delivery. There was a significant difference in opioid relapse between women on MAT (26%) and those who detoxified (0%), but no differences for other illicit drug use. Infants of women on MAT were more likely to have neonatal NOWS (91%) than infants of women who tapered below initial MAT doses but did not fully detoxify (62%). Infants of mothers who tapered (62%) were more likely to have NOWS than infants of women who fully detoxified (0%). Women on MAT reported significantly lower sexual abuse severity than did women who tapered or detoxified. It is critical to replicate the current findings and to follow up with mothers and their infants postpartum to ascertain the long-term impact of tapering or detoxification during pregnancy.

Keywords

• Opioid use
• Pregnancy
• Detoxification
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Sexual abuse