Treatment and decriminalization of the mother-infant dyad in perinatal opioid use disorder

Abstract

Treatment of perinatal opioid use disorder should center the mother-infant dyad, the needs of both entities, and preservation of the relationship. The criminalization of pregnancy and substance use in pregnancy through punitive policies and legislation and the involvement of the family policing system are in direct opposition to compassionate, person-centered care and lead to worse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In this chapter, we review the history and ongoing criminalization of pregnancy and perinatal substance use disorder, explore carcerality as a barrier to dyadic care that disproportionately targets Black, Brown, and Indigenous birthing individuals, and propose solutions to decriminalize care based in abolition medicine and reproductive justice frameworks.