CommQuest Services
CommQuest Services
Mom and Me Recovery Series Episode 4 Medicated Assisted Recovery
Mom and Me Recovery Series Episode 4 Medicated Assisted Recovery
Mom and Me Recovery Series Episode 4 Medicated Assisted Recovery
Thursday 26th March 2020
Dr. Catherine Chambers debunks myths about medicated assisted recovery for pregnant women, discussing safety and benefits of different treatments.
9 minutes
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Recovery Reimagined
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Get the buttons here!Breaking Myths: Medicated Assisted Recovery for Pregnant Women
The whole point is that, yes, they're still on an opiate, but are they doing all the behaviors that they used to be doing, that they had to go through to get illegal opiates? No, now they're getting back to a normal life, so they can go to work, raise their kids, if they can go back to leading a normal life and exhibiting all the symptoms that before we would have said: oh, that makes you an addict, so to speak, because you're doing all these behaviors, trying to get more and more meds and spending so much of your time trying to find it.
Pregnancy and addiction recovery can be a daunting combination, but Dr. Catherine Chambers is here to shed light on how medicated assisted recovery (MAR) can help. In this episode of 'Hope Discovered', host Trista Todd sits down with Dr. Chambers from CommQuest Services to clear up common misconceptions and answer pressing questions about MAR, especially for expecting mothers. Dr. Chambers starts by explaining how MAR works, replacing illicit opiates with medications like methadone and buprenorphine.
These medications help patients manage their addiction by occupying the same receptors in the brain as opiates, allowing them to lead normal lives without the harmful behaviors associated with addiction. She emphasizes that these treatments are legal, medically supervised, and crucial for a healthier lifestyle. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the safety of these treatments for both mothers and their babies. Dr.
Chambers points out that while both methadone and buprenorphine are effective, buprenorphine is often preferred by medical professionals due to better outcomes for newborns. She also stresses that breastfeeding is not only safe but recommended for mothers undergoing MAR, as it can help reduce symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS, a condition where infants experience withdrawal symptoms after birth, is another key topic. Dr.
Chambers explains that approximately half of the infants born to mothers on MAR will show some symptoms of withdrawal, but breastfeeding has been shown to mitigate these effects. Additionally, she highlights the importance of smoking cessation, as nicotine can exacerbate NAS symptoms. The episode also delves into the comprehensive care provided by the Mom and Me Recovery Program at CommQuest Services.
This program offers medication-assisted treatment, counseling, case management, and peer support, ensuring that mothers receive holistic care during their recovery journey. Whether you're an expecting mother in recovery or know someone who is, this episode provides valuable insights and practical advice on navigating pregnancy and addiction recovery safely.