Essay Example on Opioids are medications used to treat Moderate

Opioids are medications used to treat moderate to severe pain after an injury surgery or during some chronic disease process when all the other painkillers have failed to alleviate the pain They sometimes are also used for the suppression of a cough and diarrhea They include Codeine Fentanyl Hydrocodone Morphine Oxycodone Tramadol etc Substance abuse disorders including opioids during pregnancy is a grave issue that needs to be carefully focused and dealt It prevails in all ethnic racial and socioeconomic groups and affects women belonging to urban suburban and rural areas The use of opioids has burgeoned theatrically in the past few years According to a study 22 8 of women that were registered in Medicaid programs in 46 states of the United States filled an opioid prescription during their pregnancy in 2007 According to another study which observed hospital discharge cards demonstrated an increment in maternal opioid use nearly fivefold in only 9 years from 2000 to 2009 during their antepartum period Consequences of Opioids Usage in Pregnancy Opioids are considered as dangerous drugs because of their intense addictive potential Once addicted a person loses his self control and ability to quit taking the drugs During pregnancy chronic opioid addiction is associated with poor prenatal care involvement in high risk activities such as criminal acts and trading sex for drugs which expose the women to violence and legal proceedings and also increase the risk of getting Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Hepatitis Syphilis etc

A recent study conducted by National Institute of Drug Abuse NIDA concluded that a baby suffering from Opioid Withdrawal is born every 25 minutes Regions that have the highest rates of opioid prescription also have the highest rates of this problem The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC found that the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome has jumped up from 1 5 per 1000 births in 1999 to 6 per 1000 births in 2013 in the U S Babies born with NAS are more prone to have the following signs and symptoms of Tremors tight muscles and overactive reflexes o Low Birth Weight of Excessive or high pitched cry o Breathing difficulties o Feeding difficulties o Vomiting or diarrhea no Temperature instability o Sweating or blotchy skin Opioid use disorder is a chronic yet treatable issue that can be managed efficiently by combining medications behavioral therapy detox programs rehabilitation and support during the recovery This allows those with opioid use disorder to regain their health and live a delightful life ahead Timely screening appropriate interventions and referral for rehabilitation of pregnant women with opioid use and its disorder can certainly ameliorate the outcomes in the lives of mothers and infants and can provide them a firm chance to create a lasting difference in their lives