North Carolina’s Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Network
Despite strong evidence-based guidelines for perinatal substance use disorder (PSUD) care, implementation of high-quality care for pregnant and postpartum people remains inconsistent across healthcare settings. The Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Network is working to increase access and delivery of PSUD care through sharing best practices and implementing evidence-based solutions to reduce maternal deaths, expand treatment access, and decrease health disparities that affect this population.
Our “why” is simple: pregnant and parenting people who use substances deserve care that truly meets their needs — not fragmented services or punishment. This is bigger than any single program. It’s about building a statewide model that supports families, equips providers, and strengthens communities. And we welcome every partner who’s ready to work alongside us to make that happen.
Who We Are
The NC PSUD Network is a statewide, outpatient clinician-led initiative dedicated to improving access to evidence-based care for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorders across North Carolina.
Our Foundation
Conceived in 2023, six founding teams form the backbone of our Network. These core sites lead shared clinical protocols, case consultations, quality improvement projects, policy advocacy, and workforce education. Each Regional Hub offers integrated services that combine:
- Perinatal medical care
- Substance use-specific behavioral health services
- Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
- Wrap-around supports/care navigation
Our Approach
The NC PSUD Network is built for and by interprofessional teams, bringing together expertise from:
- Medical Clinicians
- Nurses
- Substance Use and Behavioral Health Counselors, Therapists, and Peers
- Pharmacists
- People With Lived Experience
- Social Workers
- Community partners and stakeholders
- Many more!
What We Do
We support teams across North Carolina through:
- Care delivery support that strengthens clinical practice
- Shared protocols that promote consistent, high-quality treatment
- Case consultation for complex patient scenarios
- Systems-level quality improvement to expand access and reduce disparities