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On-Demand

Caring for Two: Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnant Patients

Nathan Mullins, MD, FACOG
Melinda Turner, MD, FASAM, FAAEM
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Information

Recorded

  • -

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the physical, psychological and systemic challenges faced by pregnant patients with opioid use disorder

  • Explain the role of medication-assisted treatment during pregnancy and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes

  • Identify gaps in current community and ER responses and apply best practices to improve continuity of care

  • Discuss strategies for postpartum planning and long-term recovery support in collaboration with OB and treatment teams

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to equip healthcare and community professionals with practical tools to improve care coordination, reduce stigma and provide evidence-based treatment for pregnant individuals with OUD.

Description

This webinar explores the unique experiences and clinical needs of pregnant patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Presenters will examine how stigma, inconsistent care and systemic barriers impact treatment access and outcomes — from the emergency room to prenatal care. The session will highlight evidence-based practices, including the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), trauma-informed counseling, and patient-centered approaches to support recovery for both mother and baby.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Nathan Mullins, MD, FACOG
Nathan Mullins is the regional medical director at Behavioral Health Group’s opioid treatment programs in North Carolina, as well as part-time OB/GYN faculty and program director for the Addiction Medicine fellowship at MAHEC. He is board certified in OB/GYN and Addiction Medicine.
Melinda Turner, MD, FASAM, FAAEM
Melinda Turner, MD, FASAM, FAAEM, is a dual board-certified Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine physician serving as Medical Director of Behavioral Health Group's flagship Nashville opioid treatment program, where she has championed initiatives to accelerate dose stabilization, improve patient retention, and reduce barriers to care. She is an NIH/NIDA-funded SUD Ventures Fellow and incoming Catalyst Fellow at MIT, and serves on the community advisory panel for Tennessee's Opioid Abatement Council. Dr. Turner is a member of ASAM's Membership Council and served as a field reviewer for ASAM's forthcoming national guidance on hospital-based substance use disorder care. She trained at Caltech, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Michigan.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Behavioral Health Group (BHG)