Ethics of Opioid Addiction Treatment During Pregnancy

"The opioid epidemic has been a rising problem for several years, and the number of pregnant women affected by opioid use continues to increase. The use of opioids during pregnancy is especially dangerous due to the drug’s adverse effects on both the mother and her infant. However, treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is extremely restricted due to the controversial nature of the services provided. and pregnancy adds additional complications, making the treatments harder to access.

There are many different forms of treatment for OUD, some of which are more recommended for pregnant women due to their various treatment outcomes and their effects on infant health after birth. However, these treatments are difficult to access due to the controversial nature of their services, and even fewer are equipped to manage the additional complications of pregnant individuals. Furthermore, many women who become pregnant while abusing substances typically have additional factors that affect their health outcomes, such as mental health disorders, unstable home environments, or lack of access to health care. The combination of these factors makes it difficult for these patients to find treatments and have positive treatment outcomes. In this review, I will be arguing to increase access to treatment for pregnant women with OUD and highlighting the best methods of making this care available to a greater number of individuals."