Evaluating Opioid Treatment Programs’ Preparedness for Meeting the Needs of Pregnant & Parenting Individuals

Authors

• Dennis J. Hand, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Taylor Carrubba, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Katherine Everman, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Meghan Gannon, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Alie Keegan, Thomas Jefferson University
• Nicole Leighton, Thomas Jefferson University
• Martina Manfra, Thomas Jefferson University
• Melody McAlister, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Kimberly McLaughlin, Thomas Jefferson University
• Kelliann O'Hare, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Vanessa Short, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Veronica Virgilio, Thomas Jefferson University

Files

Description

Background & Aims

- Methadone has been used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), including during pregnancy, for over 50 years.

- Pregnancy-driven increases in methadone metabolism have long been known to reduce methadone’s half-life, necessitating alternative dosing strategies including providing multiple doses of per day (split-dosing).

- Pregnant and parenting persons with OUD are often have experienced interpersonal violence and other trauma, are less likely to receive adequate reproductive health care, and would benefit from supports to improve the quality of parenting.

- It is not clear whether opioid treatment programs (OTPs) meet the above needs of pregnant and parenting people in their care.

- Therefore, the aims of the present study were to:

1. determine the current practices of OTPs toward aligning methadone dosing with physiology during pregnancy, screening and responding to interpersonal violence (IPV), facilitating reproductive health care, and providing effective parenting interventions
2. evaluate OTP staff’s

Publication Date

6-17-2026

Keywords

opioid, methadone, pregnant, parenting, pregnancy

Disciplines

Nursing

Comments

Presented at the 2026 College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) Annual Scientific Meeting.

Recommended Citation

Hand, Dennis J.; Carrubba, Taylor; Everman, Katherine; Gannon, Meghan; Keegan, Alie; Leighton, Nicole; Manfra, Martina; McAlister, Melody; McLaughlin, Kimberly; O'Hare, Kelliann; Short, Vanessa; and Virgilio, Veronica, "Evaluating Opioid Treatment Programs’ Preparedness for Meeting the Needs of Pregnant & Parenting Individuals" (2026). College of Nursing Posters. 37.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/nursingposters/37