Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) occurs in babies that experience prenatal exposure to opioids. The baby is simply exposed to opioids in the womb during the course of pregnancy. As a result, the infant is born already addicted to whatever substances that the mother consumed during her pregnancy. These substances could be prescription (e.g., methadone and oxycodone) or illegal (e.g., heroin) in nature. When the baby no longer receives the drug after birth, withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, sensory sensitivity, and loss of weight become apparent. This syndrome can have both short- and long-term developmental consequences.
Concerns of NAS have increased with the opioid addiction crisis in the United States. In fact, research suggests somewhere between 25% and 30% of American pregnant women are prescribed opioids like OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin. This does not even account for instances where illegal drugs are consumed by pregnant women. Fueled by the consumption of these drugs, NAS has become one of the largest public health problems in the United States. For example, cases of NAS skyrocketed by approximately 400% from 2000 to 2012 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This leaves 3.9 out of every 1000 delivery admissions in the United States with NAS.
This training is designed to increase awareness of NAS and prepare attendees to address this public health crisis in the field. Specifically, the training will define NAS, explore the developmental and behavioral health consequences of NAS, discuss screening and assessment options, and identify evidence-based treatments and interventions (including systemic family therapy) for the baby and mother. Medical, mental health, child welfare, legal, and criminal justice professionals will benefit from this training.