FALSE!
Current research shows that doses below 60 mg/day are “not effective and hence not appropriate” and that low dose policies for pregnant and non-pregnant patients are associated with increased drug use as well as reduced program retention. Medical withdrawal of opioid dependent women is not recommended in pregnancy because of increased risk to the fetus of intrauterine death even under optimal circumstances. In fact, increased or split doses of methadone may be needed in the later stages of pregnancy since greater plasma volume and renal blood flow can contribute to a reduced level of methadone in the blood. Studies show that there is no relationship between a mother’s dose and the likelihood of the baby being born opioid dependent. They do show however, that there is a direct correlation between increased dose and increased birth weight- the most reliable indication of neonatal health. Neonatal opioid dependence is easily treated and does not have long term effects on the infant.
References:
- Mitchell, J. (Chair); Treatment improvement protocol on pregnancy and substance abusing women. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1994.
- Kaltenbach, K. & Finnegan, L.G.; Methadone maintenance during pregnancy: Implications for perinatal and developmental outcome. In: T. Sonderegger (ed), Perinatal Substance Abuse: Research findings and clinical indications; Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992.
