An opportunity to adopt a heroin addicted baby?

Question

My good friend and her husband of 5 years cannot have children of there own. They have tried almost everything. Her sister who is addicted to heroin just had a baby boy. The doctors claim that the baby was born addicted to heroin.. They are going thru the court to adopt this little soul.. they are just curious what they are getting themselves into... does anyone have experience with this.. Will the baby develop like most children? How will his behaviour be?

Answer 1

Infants whose mothers took drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, during their pregnancy may go through withdrawal at birth. Symptoms that may range from mild to severe include hyperactivity, sleep and feeding problems, a high-pitched cry, fussiness, breathing problems, diarrhea, vomiting, and convulsions.

For mild symptoms, gentle handling, frequent feedings, and quiet, cozy surroundings are helpful. Treatment may include oxygen if there is trouble breathing. Severe symptoms may require drug therapy as well.

Infants with drug withdrawal may be more prone to respiratory distress and sudden infant death syndrome. These infants should be watched closely. Their long-term development may also be affected.

Answer 2

The molecular structure of most drugs is too large to penetrate a child's cells and create permanent damage.  The exception to that is alcohol.  Generally, someone who was ingesting heroin (or another drug) will also have drank alcohol, so it is always assumed that a drug affected baby will have lingering issues even after withdrawal has passed.  If your sister looks up FAS or FASD, she should find a lot of information.  I also have a great cd at home that I'd be happy to burn for you (it's kind of like a seminar on tape, where a guy is talking about FASD - you can listen to it in the cd player).  Email me if you want me to send you a copy.  I have to go to the post office tomorrow anyway.

ETA:  I really should cite my sources, I know.  I got most of my information from the pre-adoption classes I took through the Special Needs Adoption Coalition.  By the way, the above comment about women who have ingested one drug have most likely also ingested alcohol...that is not meant at all to be stereotyping.  This is what caseworkers assume when removing a child at birth, in order to get them the services they will need as they grow.  If the assumption is made that they will eventually show signs of FASD, then the adoptive parents will know what to watch out for, even if signs aren't present at the time of the adoption.

Answer 3

Well, Samone  pretty much described it  perfectly. I think it is really wonderful that your friend is willing to step in and care for this child.  Like any child, there are hurtles, but these kids have so much love to give back.   Good luck to them.

Answer 4

MY son was exposed to some not so good things too. It's been a struggle for everyone, but mostly for him. It's not his fault.

What I learned is a persons body is what it is. You can love them for who THEYare.

There were times that I felt like I couldn't go on, sleeping in 20 min intervals, all the appointment, but there is something about being a mom that makes you pull through.

I suggest taking is 1 moment at a time. Enjoy the little steps forward. Be proactive. It will come to them.

Answer 5

the child can be very hyper or hard to learn things,there is medicine for this.they can have an addictive personally,they should talk to the doctors and nurses where this baby is at and see what else can happen,if anything,good luck to them

Answer 6

This child will basically develop the way it's environment is set up.  A good loving home & parents will 95% of the time create a well balanced citizen. The only hesitation I would have is since the birth mother could have access to this child will she know enough to remain out of it's life & let the REAL parents take the role as true parents.

Answer 7

I'm not real knowledgable in this area. The only thing I do know is often they have learning disabilities and ADD.

Answer 8

My best friend was a crack baby. Now she is 21 yrs old & has a pretty good life. She does have an addictive "personality", but she's overcome it all. I think as long as the adoptive parents get the child counseling & are aware of the warning signs then they should be able to attack any problems head on

Answer 9

A friend of mine just adobted twins in a similar situation. They are about 6 weeks old now. So far everything has been normal. They havn't had any real trouble with them except for the normal baby troubles. You may see the difference between a normal child and an addicted child when they get a little older. Good luck

Answer 10

poor kid that mother deserves to die, god bless the aprents who are gonna give it a better life, I have heard of ther being longterm withdrawls. and learning disabitilies

Answer 11

You may find that this child will be normal. May.

Worst case scenario....

The child will scream & screech non stop, it's a horrible ear piercing screech. (s)He may have the shakes constantly. This will be in the first little bit as it "withdrawls"

Things like walking, crawling, saying first words may be delayed. It's not unusual to see a baby born addicted not walk until 16-20 months.

The child will have major developmental delays. Unable to grasp simple concepts, will take years to learn the most simple of concepts like colors.

The child will have impulse problems, much like a FAS baby... well into adulthood.

Those are WORST case scenarios. I've seen babies that also came out just fine when tested at 3 & 5 yrs. It will be up to the family to know, recognize & immediatly get any intervention required to help this child (ie, you may find speech therapy & occupational -fine motor skills- will be needed)

Answer 12

For the first few weeks they will be irritated all the time won't sleep well and won't eat well They will also have digestion problems. So fort the first few weeks it will probably be kind of hard for them.

Answer 13

I don't know what the child's development will be like but that sounds like quite a challenge. Those aparents need to get busy and do some research now. Surely the baby's pediatrician will have some insight as well. Good luck.

Answer 14

There will be a withdrawl period, which could be quite difficult for the poor little one and will be trying for your friends.  

I don't know a lot about the long-term effects of heroin exposure on a fetus; this is something that your friends will want to become educated on, and perhaps find good support for, should the child develop any learning or developmental difficulties as a result.

How is the child's mother...I hope she will get treatment for her addiction as well?  Losing her baby will not be an easy thing for her, either, I'm sure.  Good luck to all of you.