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By Jennifer Smith, DO
BRIDGTON – As a local physician providing medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine for opioid dependence, I am often asked: How do we prevent and treat substance abuse? Being a female and having a special interest in caring for pregnant mothers who are addicted, I feel the answer in part comes from these women. Some of the women I see come from families where substance abuse was commonplace, a way of life, and they are working to break that cycle. For many of these women, their pregnancy and children are what drives them into treatment and into sobriety. Their own courage and caring for their healthy newborn, keeps them there.
A few weeks ago I met with a female patient who has been in our medication-assisted treatment program for about 1½ years. She had been doing very well, but at this visit she started to cry. As a provider, I started fearing the worst: relapse, abuse, loss of her job, etc. Instead, she was overcome after just leaving her closing appointment for the purchase of her first home. She was so overwhelmed and thankful for the many things she had accomplished, all she could do was shed happy tears. During time in her treatment program she regained custody of her children, obtained a great job and was now buying her first home. I, too, was thankful, to be part of this life changing process with her.
Since 2011, the Bridgton Hospital Maternity Unit has helped to provide assistance to pregnant women in need of treatment. Prior to this time, our Obstetric nurses realized that we were caring for these women their entire pregnancy, then sending them to larger hospitals to deliver their babies. All of our OB nurses are now trained in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome scoring, which is a withdrawal scoring system for newborns exposed to opioids or buprenorphine (subutex). Only infants with high scores need to be transferred to a larger hospital with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Between 2011 and 2015, we have delivered 23 babies born to mothers taking buprenorphine during their pregnancy, and only five have needed to be transferred to a higher level of care for treatment. I feel the personalized services, support and education theses families receive from our small and attentive Maternity Unit is largely responsible for these good outcomes.
As soon as a pregnant woman enters our MAT program, she is enveloped with care from all modalities. Our coordinated program provides: counseling services through Crooked River Counseling, MAT (buprenorphine) through our office, Obstetric care through Bridgton OB-GYN and the Maternity Unit, a pain management plan through our Anesthesia Department prior to labor, and a meeting with our Pediatrics Office to review the NAS scoring and expectation of their newborn’s stay. Bridgton Hospital is one of only a few rural hospitals in the state providing this level of care for opioid dependent mothers and I am proud to be a part of it. No single approach or group will solve the opioid crisis, but as this story illustrates, when caring people work together the outcomes can be a real success.
Other local opportunities to intervene with success also exist and Lakes Region Substance Abuse Coalition seeks community volunteers with time and talent, to help. Recovery experience is valued. Financial contributions are also being sought. Any amount is graciously accepted, and LRSAC is planning to engage hundreds of members willing to get involved in specific ways while contributing membership dues of $20 annually. Donations may be sent to LRSAC in care of Mindy Butler, LRSAC Treasurer, 87 South High St., Bridgton, ME 04009. Join with others at the next LRSAC general meeting, always held on the secondThursday of each month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Bridgton Municipal Complex, 3 Chase St., in the downstairs meeting room. Bring your questions, ideas and a willingness to become community change agents.
Lakes Region Substance Abuse Coalition brings people, information and ideas together to end opiate abuse; removes barriers that prevent people from receiving treatment for opiate abuse; and strengthens our community by promoting understanding of opiate abuse and treatment.
