Virtual: Substance Use and Abuse During Prenatal and Perinatal Period

Sponsor: New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association

PRESENTATION: The purpose of this workshop is to explore the role of substance use and abuse during the reproductive time frame. We will explore the importance of early recognition of possible substance use problems during pregnancy.  Almost half (approximately 45 %) of pregnancies are unplanned leading to a host of possible complications for women in general and more specifically with substance abuse issues.  They may be more susceptible to perinatal mood disorders and failure to address substance misuse or abuse can result in fetal damage. We will explore screening for substance abuse issues as well as the role of educating women about how it affects their health both during pregnancy and postpartum as well as that of their child. We will talk about the affects of various substances including stimulants, opiates, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. As a result of this training participants will be able to:

• Recognition of rates of substance abuse in prenatal and perinatal period
• Understanding complication of substance misuse/abuse during pregnancy and postpartum
• Strategies for treatment of women, their partners, and families during the perinatal period

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:  Dr. Michelle Ronayne earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. She went on to earn her Master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Suffolk University in Boston, MA. She has had a variety of clinical training experiences including a Veteran’s Administration Hospital (Bedford, MA), a practicum focused on working with community members around domestic violence and an internship at a community mental health center in Walpole, MA with a focus on children, adolescents, and families where she continued to work with a non-profit domestic violence agency as well.  Dr. Ronayne has spent many years in academia having taught at a variety of colleges in Massachusetts and New Hampshire teaching courses such as Domestic Violence, Family Violence, Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. She continued to explore her research interests in power and empowerment with a specific focus on the role of power in organizational development. Additionally, Dr. Ronayne has administrative experience having served as an Associate Director of a multi-site practice in Massachusetts.

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