Medication-Assisted Treatment Considerations for Women with Opiate Addiction Disorders

Opioid addiction rates are at a national high, with significant morbidity and mortality. In women, rates have been steadily increasing to be at par with addiction rates in men. Women tend to have quicker addiction and shorter duration to adverse outcomes. Treatment of women has the best outcomes when it is gender-specific, trauma-informed, connected with access to psychiatric services, and integrated into the medical home. Improved outcomes can be achieved with coordinated systems of care based on the harm-reduction model, with integration of medication-assisted therapy in a patient-centered medical home.