[4 min read]
In this article:
- Swedish Ballard is home to a multi-disciplinary program to support pregnant patients with substance use diorders.
- The program offers stabilization, medical substance withdrawal management, obstetric care, childbirth and parenting education and more.
- This unique program has shown improvements in numerous areas, including decreased substance use and relapse rates, tobacoco cessation, decreased foster care system entry rates and decreased emergency department utilization.
- September is National Recovery Month. Learn more about this life-changing program.
Providence Swedish Ballard is home to the Substance-Using Pregnant People (SUPP) program, a transformative model of care.
One of four similar programs in the state, Swedish SUPP serves nearly half of the state’s capacity and is unique in that it cares for patients at any gestational age, postpartum and those with high medical needs. Each year, Swedish's program serves approximately 350 mothers and mother-to-be. In 2023, the majority of patients in the Swedish SUPP program came from King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, but the team served patients from 24 other counties. More than three quarters of the unit's patients are low income with high medical needs and, in many cases, underinsured.
The SUPP program’s multidisciplinary team delivers inpatient medical withdrawal management and stabilization, psychosocial treatment, obstetric evaluation and care, 24-hour nursing care, and parenting and childbirth education.
The SUPP program leads to positive health outcomes for both the birthing parent and child, including:
- Decreased substance use, overdose and relapse rates
- Improved withdrawal management
- Tobacco cessation
- Improved breastfeeding
- Decreased entry rate into the foster care system
- Decreased emergency department utilization rates
- Decreased postpartum hospitalization readmissions
When mothers deliver their babies while in the program, the COMPASSION model (Community Of Maternal Parenting Support for Substance Impacted People and Newborns) provides extended five days postpartum floor stay; this promotes trauma-responsive and non-judgmental, patient-centered care tailored to support the mother/birthing parent, newborn and family unit. This approach fosters “zero separation” and a whole person approach through respect, compassion, self-sufficiency and empowerment.
Learn more and find a physician or advanced care practitioner (ACP)
If you have questions about behavioral health services, Swedish is here for you. Contact Swedish Behavioral Health and Well-Being. We can accommodate both in-person and virtual visits.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. You can also connect virtually with your provider to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
Information for patients and visitors
Additional resources
National Recovery Month highlights hope for addiction
At Swedish Ballard, care and support for adults with acute psychiatric needs
Not just the baby blues. Swedish experts on postpartum anxiety and depression
988, the free national mental health hotline, has connected with millions in crisis
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
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