Neonatal Drug Withdrawal and Closed Adoptions

We have previously posted about the rise of drug-affected babies in foster care. A new article discusses a case in California in which the birthmother expresses regret after becoming clean after her child was placed into a closed adoption.

“More babies – about one of every 80 born in the region – are affected in some way by maternal drug use but do not suffer withdrawal symptoms, the state data show. That figure, which experts say underestimates the problem, has grown at a moderate pace for years, and doctors have reported a shift from cocaine toward narcotics.

Clinicians blame the rise in newborn drug withdrawal on increased use – and abuse – of prescription painkillers.

“We see a number of mothers using prescription drugs like Oxycontin and Vicodin – either recreationally or prescribed by doctors,” said Dr. Angela Rosas, a pediatrician at Sutter Medical Center who focuses on child abuse.”

“In Northern California, the number of babies diagnosed with the syndrome has risen, but at a slower pace than in Sacramento.

Pregnant mothers often realize that abusing drugs could harm their infants, but cannot kick the habit. Jennifer Hohnholz, 34, of Rancho Cordova said she smoked crack cocaine in 2009 while pregnant with her third child.

“I felt horrible for doing it, because I knew I was pregnant,” she said. She tried to stop but, “as soon as you see it, smell it, it would almost grab hold of you. It was like, ‘I need this, and I’d rather be dead without it.’ ”

Hohnholz’s child was born healthy but tested positive for drugs. The child was adopted and Hohnholz, who is now clean, hasn’t seen her since.

“I do still wonder what she looks like,” Hohnholz said. “The last time I saw her, she looked just like her grandmother. There’s the regret and the feeling of ‘How stupid are you, Jennifer?’ “

Read the rest at More Sacramento-area newborns suffer withdrawal resulting from moms’ drug use
[Sacramento Bee 2/11/12 by Phillip Reese and Grace Rubenstein]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

The mother’s rights may have been terminated or the child may have been placed voluntarily at the time into a closed situation. Either way, it is important for adoptive parents to remember that you never should assume that original parents don’t regret their decisions, forget their children nor never look back. Additionally, bad situations do sometimes turn around for original parents as in this case.