Continuation in Treatment and Maintenance of Custody of Newborns After Delivery in Women With Opioid Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To identify variables associated with continuation in treatment and maintenance of custody after pregnancies in women with opioid use disorder (OUD).

METHODS: The medical records of pregnant women with documented OUD from 2011 to 2018 and with at least 6 months follow-up postpartum were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: Via multivariate analysis, women on opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) were more likely to continue in treatment and maintain custody, whereas women enrolled in a residential treatment program during pregnancy were less likely to continue in treatment or maintain custody. Women who continued in treatment were significantly more likely to maintain custody of their children than those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS: Continuation in treatment and maintenance of custody were closely related. Care providers should attempt to improve both outcomes.