December 2023 | ATTCnetwork.org

Study identifies a more effective way to care for newborns exposed to opioids

By The Addiction Policy Forum

Findings from the Eating, Sleeping and Consoling for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ESC-NOW) study show a new care approach that is more effective than usual care approaches for opioid-exposed infants.

Eat, Sleep, Console promotes parental engagement and gives special attention to non-medication care methods like breastfeeding, swaddling, and skin-to-skin contact. The usual treatment for NOWS focuses on a nurse measuring the infant's withdrawal symptoms before providing medication treatment, such as methadone or morphine.

Researchers found that the ESC approach decreased the time until infants were medically ready for discharge. Newborns cared for with ESC were medically ready for discharge approximately 6.7 days earlier and were 63% less likely to receive drug therapy, compared to newborns cared for under the usual approach using traditional scoring methods. Safety outcomes at three months of age were similar between both groups.

The ATTC Network is funded by SAMHSA and the author’s opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of SAMHSA or the ATTC. We respectfully offer this article to encourage healthy discussion to advance our field.

Happy Holidays, from the ATTC Network

Our offices will be closed Monday, December 25, through Monday, January 1, 2024. Find our webinars, recorded trainings, and more in our Products & Resources Catalog.

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SAMHSA Resources Spotlight

Advisory: Low Barrier Models of Care for Substance Use Disorders

The Advisory outlines the principles and components of low barrier care, and how low barrier care may be leveraged to overcome substantial gaps in access, while also engaging individuals in treatment. Released December 2023.

Counseling Approaches To Promote Recovery From Problematic Substance Use and Related Issues Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series No. 65

This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) provides guidance to counselors, administrators, and supervisors about recovery-oriented services, supports, and care, allowing them to better serve individuals in or seeking recovery from problematic substance use. Released November 2023.

Addiction Science Made Easy

Rapid, Large Reductions in Prescription Opioid Dosages Increase Risk for Adverse Events, including Death

This study aimed to assess whether larger dose reductions were associated with increased risk of potential adverse events (emergency department (ED) visits, overdose, all-cause mortality, and benzodiazepine fills) in the month directly following the dose reduction period.

SAMHSA Grant Announcement: 2024 Rural Emergency Medical Services Training

The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration announces a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The purpose of this program is to recruit and train EMS personnel in rural areas with a particular focus on addressing substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring disorders (COD) substance use and mental disorders. SAMHSA recognizes the great need for emergency services in rural areas and the critical role EMS personnel serve across the country. Recipients will be expected to train EMS personnel on SUD and COD, trauma-informed, recovery-based care for people with such disorders in emergency situations and, as appropriate, to maintain licenses and certifications relevant to serve in an EMS agency.

With this program, SAMHSA aims to develop the capacity of EMS staff to support residents in rural communities. Read the official grant announcement.

More Info

Visit SAMHSA’s other TA Centers:

E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging

African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

NIATx: The Intersection of Behavioral Health and Systems Engineering — A Conversation with David H. Gustafson

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ISSUP International Society of Substance Use Professionals

The International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP) is a global, not-for-profit, non-government organization to support the development of a professional prevention and treatment network.

Visit the ISSUP Knowledge Share to get the latest international research news.

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