Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

In Sullivan County, every five days a baby is born dependent on drugs*

Babies can experience seizures, high pitched crying, trembling, vomiting, problems sleeping, slow weight gain, and many long term problems

*Average in 2016, still true mid-2020



Babies born suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have significantly higher hospital expenses that on average cost $60,000 more than a birth without NAS.

What Can Be Done?

Women who might become pregnant should ask about voluntary, reversible, long acting contraception if prescribed an opioid medication


Prescribers:

Visit our health team site for helpful resources such as:

      • Current rate of NAS births in Sullivan County

      • Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines

      • CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioid Medications

      • SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment)

      • Suggestions for promoting voluntary long-acting reversible contraceptives (VLARCs)

      • How to help your clients obtain Count It, Lock It, Drop It materials

More information