Educational Activities Archives

Opioid use disorder (OUD) among women and people who become pregnant is increasing in prevalence in clinical settings. The standard of care is to provide buprenorphine or methadone as a part of a complete treatment approach during pregnancy and beyond the postpartum period. This module reviews the historical and current context of opioid use among women and birthing people during pregnancy. It compares pharmacological treatment options for women and people who become pregnant with an OUD and also discusses the issues with detoxification or medically assisted withdrawal from opioids during pregnancy. Issues related to the treatment of OUD during pregnancy and in the postpartum period for the birthing person, fetus and child will also be discussed (e.g., induction, dosing, pain management, neonatal withdrawal and how to reduce its severity).

Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) have unique risks and struggles, including opioid and other drug use. With 79% of study samples reporting opioid use and 52% reporting drug-related overdose, the opioid epidemic has disproportionately affected youth who are homeless. Housing First interventions employ housing as a basic human right and assert that housing should be provided first, regardless of engagement in other treatments. While a unique opioid prevention intervention, housing first strategies serve as a baseline for other beneficial interventions targeting drug use. Hear the results of a randomized controlled trial administered by Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.