As opioid abuse has risen in recent years, conversations about addiction have moved out of the shadows. Today, we hear from one woman who wishes to remain anonymous about her experience with adoption and drug addiction.
“It’s not like I just woke up one day and decided that I wanted to become a drug addict. I was a sophomore in college, and I stepped on a thumbtack in my dorm room. It pierced my right foot, which got infected. I had fevers above 102 for days, so I decided to go to the ER.
There, I got antibiotics and hydrocodone. Finally, my infection cleared up, and the pain went away. But I took the extra hydrocodone anyway. It made me feel less stressed about school and paying bills. I liked how it made me feel happier about life. Then, through someone I met at school, I got OxyContin. I bought it from some guy with a prescription.
In no time, I was addicted and using every day. I just couldn’t stop. It got to the point where I couldn’t afford my habit. I constantly struggled to find more. Then, I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t know what I’d do with a baby, and abortion wasn’t something I wanted to do. I had a friend in school who was adopted. Knowing her story made me think about looking into adoption.
I found Lifetime’s website and began to look at adoptive families. Then, I called Lifetime. I was really upfront with the woman on the phone. I just said, ‘Look, I know I can’t parent my baby. Can I still choose adoption?’ I had some questions about adoption, especially about something I’d heard called adoption trauma. The adoption coordinator gave me information on this and answered all my questions.
I never thought I’d be a drug addict. My addiction started with a snap decision to take some pills just for fun. That choice nearly destroyed me, but I can honestly say that even though I’m an addict, adoption was the best choice I ever made.
I went through addiction treatment, and I’m back in school. I receive emails from the adoptive parents about my son. I follow them on Instagram and Facebook, where they post pictures of him. I can see how well he’s doing with his adoptive family. He looks like he’s happy and well-loved. As his birth mother, I feel safe and secure in choosing adoption for my child. I know as an adopted child, he will have questions. But I am involved in his life and ready to explain why I chose adoption for him.”
Adoption and Drug Addiction
Lifetime Adoption has many hopeful adoptive parents who are open to adopting a baby who was exposed to drug use prenatally. Adoption gives your baby the opportunity to be loved and cherished by an adoptive couple who have the resources to handle the baby’s needs.
If you’re pregnant and addicted, know you still have a choice. There is a better way. You have a say in your baby’s future! With open adoption, you can choose the adoptive family for your baby. You have the same choices as any woman choosing adoption, including the option of ongoing contact with your child.
Creating an adoption plan will allow you to provide your baby with what you cannot. Some might say, “How could you give up your baby for adoption?!” But the truth is, adoption isn’t giving your baby away. It’s giving him or her the very best life that you possibly can.
Struggling With Addiction?
Lots of people struggle with drug addiction. Unfortunately, one of the hardest things to break free from addiction is believing it’s a real problem and then deciding to change.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed about where to begin. If you’re addicted to prescription drugs like the woman in this article, there are ways to treat your condition. Getting sober means you’ll need to change certain things in your life depending on a variety of factors, such as:
- How you deal with stress and anxiety
- Who you want in your life
- What you do with your free time
- Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Genetic predisposition
Don’t let your addictions rule your life. Instead, take action right away and get help.
If You’re an Addict and Pregnant
This woman’s story about adoption and drug addiction isn’t all that uncommon. Many women find themselves in similar situations, struggling with drugs and alcohol. SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, can help no matter where you live in the U.S. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for those facing substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) today. Through their site, you can also locate a treatment facility near you.
If you’re in an unexpected pregnancy and struggle with alcohol or drug addiction, Lifetime can help you find adoptive parents for your baby. We’ve helped many women place their babies in loving homes.
Our experienced adoption coordinators can answer your questions and help you find the care you need. Give us a call or text at 1-800-923-6784.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 7, 2018, and has since been updated.
As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
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