Maternal Addiction and Recovery

Our specialists are specifically trained to care for pregnant women who are undergoing treatment for addiction. All doctors in our program are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction.

The Firefly program at Vanderbilt Health combines outpatient addiction treatment with care before and after delivery for women facing the dual challenges of pregnancy and recovery. With the Firefly program, you’ll receive the care you need in one place, supported by a clinical team who treats you with dignity and compassion. We help you achieve a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and sustained recovery from substance use.

We offer care from many specialists, including OB/GYNs, psychiatrists and addiction counselors, in one place. We partner with the SHINE (Support and Healing for Infants with Neonatal Exposures) program clinic, which cares for new mothers and infants exposed to opioids.

Each patient is paired with a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, a person in recovery with lived experience who helps patients navigate their recovery journey. Peers connect with patients regularly to provide support and assistance. Patients can also connect with peers in free weekly group therapeutic sessions, either in-person or online.

Recovery looks different for each woman, and so does pregnancy. We work with you to create a care plan that’s right for you.

We offer substance use specialty care for pregnant mothers through eVisit. Patients can see their Firefly addiction medicine provider and recovery specialist virtually while visiting their primary OB/GYN at the Vanderbilt Center for Women's Health clinic closest to their home. This gives patients access to a higher level of Vanderbilt Health’s maternal-fetal care team in their neighborhood.

Our researchers are leaders in exploring ways to improve care. You may have the option to take part in studies called clinical trials, which test promising new approaches under close monitoring. Participation is always your choice. We’ll give you the information you need to decide. Explore clinical trials.