The Norton Maternal Opiate and Substance Treatment (MOST) Program is committed to helping you break the cycle of addiction.

Treatment services designed specifically for pregnant people can be hard to find. Many programs may be reluctant to accept pregnant patients, partly due to lack of knowledge about pregnancy and the unborn baby’s development. The Norton MOST Program offers knowledgeable, supportive staff members who are trained in caring for pregnant people with substance use disorders and for their babies.

The Norton MOST Program accepts most commercial insurance plans as well as Kentucky and Indiana Medicaid.

The Norton MOST Program offers:

• Specialized care and resources during pregnancy
• Compassionate care focused on the health and well-being of both you and your baby
• Education about the dangers of using alcohol or illegal substances during pregnancy

How Substance Abuse Affects Pregnancy

When you are pregnant and have a substance use disorder, your baby can be affected by those substances as well. A baby whose mother was using opiates (such as heroin or oxycodone) while pregnant may experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Symptoms of NAS include pain, screaming, excessive sucking, tremors, agitation and seizures. With alcohol use during pregnancy, your newborn may experience fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS can cause slow growth, facial abnormalities and brain disorders. Newborns with NAS or FAS require specialized care in the hospital.

Substance use during pregnancy can lead to:

• Miscarriage
• Premature birth
• Baby with low birth weight
• A child with behavioral issues
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• A lifetime of learning disabilities for the child
• A child who experiences substance dependence throughout life

Monitoring and Healing

Candidates for the Norton MOST Program are screened by a qualified clinician to determine:

• If the program is the right medical option for you
• If you are eligible for the program
• Your substance use status
• What level of withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing

After the assessment is completed, a qualified physician will determine if further evaluation or admission is needed.

Program Services

The Norton MOST Program offers hospital stabilization/detoxification (detox) services and an outpatient recovery program.

Hospital Stabilization and Detox

• Admission to Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, with a typical stay of two to five days
• Management of withdrawal symptoms, which can include treatment with medication, high-risk pregnancy supervision and fetal monitoring
• Compassionate care provided by trained and professional staff
• Recovery treatment planning, care coordination and follow-up care and support before and after birth

Outpatient Recovery Program

• Individual and group therapy
• 12-step recovery meetings
• Medication
• Pregnancy care and/or consultation
• Recovery, pregnancy and parenting support and resources