A Yakima, Washington hospital is now setting the standard for addiction treatment among pregnant women in Central Washington.
MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital has been named a Center of Excellence for its Perinatal Substance Use program, the first hospital in the region to earn the distinction.
For families in the Yakima Valley dealing with substance use disorder, this recognition signals that specialized, compassionate care is available close to home.
What the Center of Excellence Means for Yakima Valley Residents
MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital announced it was recognized as a Center of Excellence for its care for pregnant women with substance use disorder, and is the first hospital in Central Washington to receive that recognition.
The designation reflects a comprehensive approach that treats both the mother and the baby, a model known as wraparound care.
Karly Floyd, Clinical Director of Women and Children Services at the hospital, described the philosophy behind the program: the team works to reach patients at their most vulnerable and connect them to a path toward recovery.
39 babies born at the hospital last year were exposed to opiates during pregnancy, with fentanyl, meth and amphetamines being the most common substances involved.
These numbers reflect a reality playing out across Washington State, where substance use during pregnancy remains a serious public health challenge.
Understanding Opioid and Stimulant Addiction During Pregnancy
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is roughly 50 times more potent than heroin. Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that affects the brain’s reward system.
Both substances create strong physical and psychological dependence, making it extremely difficult for people to stop using without professional support.
Signs of addiction in a pregnant person may include sudden changes in behavior, withdrawal from family and social activities, continuing to use substances despite known health risks, and an inability to cut back without help.
When a baby is born exposed to opioids, they may experience Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), requiring medical monitoring and care.
According to Tonya Wall, a social worker at MultiCare who adopted three foster children whose mothers had substance use disorder, the long-term effects can include learning disabilities, processing disorders, frontal lobe brain damage and vision impairment.
How Wraparound Addiction Care Helps Mothers and Babies
The program at Yakima Memorial doesn’t just treat the physical symptoms of addiction, it addresses the emotional and social barriers that keep people from seeking help.
Wall, who sees roughly five patients a week through the program, works to help mothers understand that seeking treatment is an act of love, not failure.
The program’s recognition as a Center of Excellence means it has demonstrated consistent, evidence-based addiction treatment outcomes for this high-risk population.
For individuals searching for addiction treatment in Washington that understand the unique needs of pregnant women, this kind of specialized program can make all the difference.
Finding Addiction Treatment in Yakima Washington
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use disorder during pregnancy, or at any stage of life, addiction treatment in Yakima Washington is available.
Programs like the one at MultiCare Yakima Memorial show that recovery is possible, even in the most difficult circumstances.
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