Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a growing concern in the United States. This article discusses what NAS is and the effects it has on the newborn. First, the incidence of NAS in relation to maternal age, race, and ethnicity is discussed. Explains the types of medications most commonly associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome. However, I have excluded alcohol from this article because it causes fetal alcohol syndrome. This article will then explain the types of physical symptoms associated with NAS for full-term and premature infants. Discusses the different classes of medications and the unique symptoms that newborns experience with each. Additionally, the long-term cognitive and behavioral effects that infants may experience as they grow are discussed. Additionally, this article discusses how neonatal abstinence syndrome is diagnosed and how the Finnegan Neonatal Scoring System is used to help doctors determine the severity of NAS in each newborn. Finally, this article explains the treatment of NAS and the important roles of the nurse in caring for a newborn with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems that a newborn experiences when exposed to addictive drugs that the mother consumes during pregnancy. NAS is a growing concern in the United States and can have significant adverse effects on newborns. Soon after birth the baby may show many physical withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, substance abuse during pregnancy can cause premature birth, low birth weight, seizures, birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and possible long-term cognitive and behavioral problems. The 2010 results of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary or...... half of the document ......Obstetrics, 16(4), 220-223Neonatal abstinence syndrome. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004566/Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/hrnewborn/nas.htmlNeonatal abstinence syndrome. (2012a). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007313.htmNeonatal abstinence syndrome. (2012b). Retrieved from http://www.yalemedicalgroup.org/stw/Page.asp?PageID=STW026750 Results of the 2010 National Survey on Medication Use and Health: Summary of National Results. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/2k10Results.htmZimmermann-Baer, ​​U., Nötzli, U., Rentsch, K., & Bucher, HU (2010). Finnegan Neonatal Withdrawal Scoring System: Normal Values ​​for the First 3 Days and Weeks 5-6 in Non-Addicted Infants. Dependence, 105(3), 524-528.