Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) utilization among opiate dependent pregnant women: A synthesis of findings from 3 research studies

The increased number of women reporting heroin use is a public health concern, due to increased injection-related AIDS cases among women, low birth weight and neonatal mortality among pregnant heroin users. Approximately 80-90% of women using heroin are of reproductive age. MMT has been recommended for opiate dependent pregnant women in the medical field for over 30 years.

MMT reduces the use of heroin, thus decreasing the risk of ecological problems such as hepatitis, HIV-related needle sharing, prostitution, criminal activity, and general life disruptions associated with opiate dependence. Services provided by comprehensive MMT include drug counseling and testing, mental health care, prenatal care and parenting education.

MMT has the highest drug treatment retention rate and is more effective than non-pharmacological approaches. A consecutive length-of-stay in MMT study, women were more likely to stay in MMT for at least one year compared to men. Similarly, parents living with their children were 15% more likely to stay for at least one year compared to parents without children.

Contradictory evidence exists on the effects of MMT on child wellbeing; Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome symptoms appear in 60-90% of infants born to opiate dependent mothers. Although a controversial treatment, researchers agree that most effects of NAS decrease, and mother's well being increases with services provided by comprehensive MMT.

Even with this evidence-based research, MMT is not generally recommended by child welfare workers for opiate-using mothers. This synthesis calls for increased awareness and understanding of MMT for the wellbeing of opiate dependent mothers and their children.