Question

With one exception, the safest pregnancy is one in which the woman is drug and alcohol free. For women addicted to opioids, ________________________ treatment is the current standard of care during pregnancy.

A) Smoking cessation
B) Detoxification
C) 4 Ps Plus
D) Methadone maintenance

Answer 1

Methadone maintenance is the recommended treatment for pregnant women dealing with opioid addiction, as it is safer for both the mother and the fetus compared to continued opioid use or abrupt cessation. Historical punitive policies towards pregnant women who use drugs have had negative outcomes, making a medical approach more favorable.

This correct answer is c)

Step-by-step explanation:

For women addicted to opioids, methadone maintenance treatment is the current standard of care during pregnancy. While abstinence from drugs and alcohol is the safest course during pregnancy, for those struggling with opioid addiction, abrupt cessation can be dangerous.

Methadone maintenance is a form of medication-assisted treatment that helps to stabilize the patient, reduce cravings, and lower the risk of relapse without the highs and lows of heroin or other opioid use. It is considered safer for both the mother and the developing fetus compared to continued use of opioids.

Furthermore, evidence suggests that punitive approaches to substance abuse during pregnancy, such as arresting and incarcerating pregnant women, can have deleterious effects on both the women and their babies.

Historical policies like the one implemented in Charleston, South Carolina, proved to be disastrous and did not yield the intended outcomes. Instead, a compassionate, medical approach that addresses the complexities of addiction is favored for its effectiveness and respect for the well-being of both the mother and child.

This correct answer is c)

Answer 2

Methadone maintenance is the standard treatment during pregnancy for women addicted to opioids, as it helps manage withdrawal symptoms, reduces cravings, and is safer for the fetus.

Step-by-step explanation:

For women addicted to opioids, methadone maintenance treatment is the current standard of care during pregnancy. Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid that, when used in a controlled medical setting, can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings in individuals who are addicted to opioids. This treatment approach is considered safer for the developing fetus compared to the risks of intermittent opioid abuse and withdrawal, which can lead to poor fetal growth, preterm labor, and fetal distress. Methadone maintenance allows for a more stable maternal environment and reduces the likelihood of the severe withdrawal symptoms that a newborn would otherwise experience, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).