DSS Help, MA?

Question

Here is the deal. I am/was addicted to Oxycotin, and was during my pregnancy. I am now being investigated by DSS, and am in danger of losing my child. The baby was originally released to my mother temporary care, and she was going to stay with me until we were able to meet with DSS and figure out a plan of action. The baby starting showing signs of withdrawal and was readmitted into the hospital to be monitered, and is now being administered drugs for her withdrawl systems. My mother had decided that this was to much to handle and she would not be the secondary care provider. Mu husbands mother has agreed to take on this role if need be. but since the first plan with my mother fell through they are much less likely to go with another secondary care provider. I am cooperating with DSS and have an appointment to meet with an out patient program service. No one can give me any answers, it is all up in the air and it is killing me!

Does anyone have any idea what might happen? Am I going to lose my child? What are the chances that they would take her?

BTW, my husband and I both have great jobs, a very nice living environment, you would never guess we were addicts. Do appearances help at all? Any advice would be great!

Answer 1

Well are you still addicted?  That's a major risk/concern for the baby's welfare.  You need to go to a lisenced/certified drug and alchol counselor and get a drug/alcohol assessment, then whatever that counselor recommends you need to do it.  Even if it means inpatient treatment.  If your baby had to be re-admitted to the hospital for withdrawl symptoms then that is VERY serious.  That would be ample reason for DSS to ask the court for custody of the baby.  If that happens there really is nothing you can do about it.  Maybe get an attorney.  But if that does happen it doesn't mean the baby is gone forever.  It means you have to work your butt off to get off and stay off the drugs - both of you.  Don't just do it to get your baby back, do it to be a better parent.  Placing those hazardous drugs in your baby's system was not a good thing, as I'm sure you know.  Appearances mean nothing.  It's good that you have a good home, job, etc.  but up to this point you have NOT protected your child, you have exposed that baby to severe harm that may affect him/her for the rest of his/her life.

I just want to edit this to say no one is going to do this for you or even really provide the kind of "help" for you to stay clean.  It's all up to you.  And your husband's sobriety is up to him.  DSS has a liability to keep your child safe.  If they let the child go home with you and your MIL, it's DSS's problem if you get high put the kid in the car and crash it.  It's all about liability.  There's really not much anyone can do except you.  The ball is in your court.