Newborn has drugs in system...what now?

[Boardwalk Jedi]

Fair enough -- we know that if two people take drugs today for the first time ever, one of them could become an addict while the other is able to walk away. But we also know that SOMEONE is going to become an addict. WHY would anyone EVER take that chance? It's not a sensible choice.

Of course it isn't sensible. But one who begins using drugs usually isn't in a sensible state. There are so many things to look at rather than just writing off that one person for not accepting personal responsibility. If it were that easy, it would be great.

FWIW, my oldest was born with drugs in his system. At first he was mainly with the paternal grandmother and an aunt. We took him in at age four and eventually were able to adopt him. In my opinion, DCF tries very hard to keep the baby with ANY family member....sometimes too hard, but that's another story.

 

[Colleen27]

Fair enough -- we know that if two people take drugs today for the first time ever, one of them could become an addict while the other is able to walk away. But we also know that SOMEONE is going to become an addict. WHY would anyone EVER take that chance? It's not a sensible choice.

People aren't necessarily sensible creatures, though. Some make mistakes because they're young, or have other issues that aren't being addressed. Many, as it has been pointed out on this thread, became addicted simply by following bad medical advice from professionals they thought they could trust. And some probably just didn't think addiction could happen to them, just like with alcohol and gambling and countless other vices that some ruin their lives over while others enjoy them casually without ever becoming hooked.

 

[cabanafrau]

Relapse is high. I heard about 80 %

Relapse is high. So much so that most who deal with addicts in recovery will tell you it is expected. The tale is frequently told in how the addict responds to that initial relapse. I've heard more than one addiction specialist say that they worry the most about those in recovery who seem to have made the complete turnaround in one fell swoop. I heard one equate it to dealing with a curious toddler who doesn't comprehend "no, stove hot" until they touch it for themselves.

 

[kimblebee]

People take those prescriptions every day without becoming drug addicts. After a few days of proper use, they decide they are ready to face the pain and bear it until they are healed. The ones who become addicts are the ones who use it differently than prescribed. 1-2 pills every 4 -6 hours as needed for pain does NOT mean "always take 2 pills every 4 hours, and really take it every 3.5 hours so it doesn't wear off" There has to be personal responsibility.

This really struck me the wrong way.

It’s no secret that I have ms. When I have a relapse that requires medical intervention I am given Solumedrol. For those that don’t know, it is an insanely high dose of steroids. I am given a small bag for five days. By the end of day two, I am addicted to it. It doesn’t give me a high, it doesn’t miraculously make me feel better or cure me..it just reduces whatever symptom I’m having at the time. Last time I had it, it restored my vision as I had gone blind in my left eye.

I have to have a very long taper when I am done the treatment. If I stop too quickly, I am shaky, clammy, paranoid, and have hallucinations (I see bugs on the walls.) I take the medication as prescribed because the hospital controls the dose (it’s done via IV). I know this is withdrawal.

I never have contemplated taking illegal drugs but knowing I have an addictive personality gives me an extra reason never to try ‘just once’.

Would you say it’s my fault that I get addicted?

 

[Happyinwonerland]

This really struck me the wrong way.

It’s no secret that I have ms. When I have a relapse that requires medical intervention I am given Solumedrol. For those that don’t know, it is an insanely high dose of steroids. I am given a small bag for five days. By the end of day two, I am addicted to it. It doesn’t give me a high, it doesn’t miraculously make me feel better or cure me..it just reduces whatever symptom I’m having at the time. Last time I had it, it restored my vision as I had gone blind in my left eye.

I have to have a very long taper when I am done the treatment. If I stop too quickly, I am shaky, clammy, paranoid, and have hallucinations (I see bugs on the walls.) I take the medication as prescribed because the hospital controls the dose (it’s done via IV). I know this is withdrawal.

I never have contemplated taking illegal drugs but knowing I have an addictive personality gives me an extra reason never to try ‘just once’.

Would you say it’s my fault that I get addicted?

That's not what addiction is. That is like saying a diabetic is an insulin addict or and someone with hypothyroidism in a synthroid addict. What you are describing is a normal, responsible use of a medication (just as I described in the post you quoted).

If you said you were using more than prescribed, buying it illegally, and destroying your health with it, that would be a different story.

 

[kimblebee]

That's not what addiction is. That is like saying a diabetic is an insulin addict or and someone with hypothyroidism in a synthroid addict. What you are describing is a normal, responsible use of a medication (just as I described in the post you quoted).

If you said you were using more than prescribed, buying it illegally, and destroying your health with it, that would be a different story.

Yes, I use it responsibly but when I’m not at the hospital, I’m thinking about how long it is until I can go back and get more. Like I said, I don’t get a high from it, but there’s just something that makes me want more. Please don’t try and say I don’t know what I’m feeling.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

Why do people take the chance with alcohol? Not really a lot different. If most people knew the chance of them becoming an alcoholic, how many would still take that first drink? How many would still get drunk that first time?

Tying a band around your arm and shooting a dose of heroin purchased from a fellow junkie can hardly be compared to your first time sipping a glass of chardonnay.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

.....I had the first surgery and was blown away by the fact I knew I was awake one minute, out like a light the next, and then awake the moment they brought me out of it. It was only maybe an hour max, yet I had this overwhelming feeling that I haven't slept so well or so easily since my teens.....

This is a very accurate description. This is exactly the way I felt after my short surgery too. And what’s more dangerous, I felt no “hangover” of any kind for the rest of the day.

 

[luvsJack]

Tying a band around your arm and shooting a dose of heroin purchased from a fellow junkie can hardly be compared to your first time sipping a glass of chardonnay.

Not necessarily. For someone who is more predisposed to be an alcoholic, it doesn’t take a lot. It’s not the years of drinking that makes them an alcoholic. They continue drinking because they like the way it makes them feel. (Pretty much the same as any drug—whether it’s because they like the high or it takes away the pain or the anxiety or whatever). And soon they can’t stop.

No one wants to be an addict, regardless of the drug of choice. Few start by putting that needle in their arm.

The only addict I know that even went to herion, made that choice after years of pill addiction and then meth and later herion. He went to rehab. He was clean for awhile. He returned to the pills. Too easy to get. Too easy to have an excuse to take just one. He really was in pain or he really was having anxiety or depression and the circle continued.

And besides, let’s be real. I wasn’t talking about “sipping Chardonnay”.

 

[smokeyblue]

Addiction is often a persons inability to process trauma. The drug eases the pain they can't escape. Yes, it may be an individual's choice to start taking drugs, but often the reason why wasn't a choice for them. Not really a great excuse for bringing a drug addicted baby into the world, but addicts don't have the best judgement. That's why there are consequences for their actions.
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[cabanafrau]

Addiction is often a persons inability to process trauma. The drug eases the pain they can't escape. Yes, it may be an individual's choice to start taking drugs, but often the reason why wasn't a choice for them. Not really a great excuse for bringing a drug addicted baby into the world, but addicts don't have the best judgement. That's why there are consequences for their actions.
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Doesn't even need to be pain from trauma. Many substance abusers are in fact self medicating due to mental health issues that are usually undiagnosed and untreated. Better mental health awareness and access could cause a sea change.