Hello my sister just gave birth to my niece while taking methadone. I'd really love to talk with someone who has recovered from this. My mom said she thinks my sister was high (nodding off) while they were in the nicu together. I'm at a loss for what to do. I thought her love for the baby would cure her. I do know she loves the baby but am sick over the idea that she might still be using drugs. She will not let anyone be able to get info at the methadone clinic. Which to me if she has nothing to hide then why not? Also she just informed my mom that they decreased her methadone which is why she was nodding off. Could this be right? Could she have just been really tired bc she's a new mom spending tons of time at the hospital?
New aunt 30,
Congrats on the birth of your new niece!
Usually, but not always when someone is on methadone it can make you a bit sleepy especially if you aren't doing something, like a job or working at home cleaning etc. Being a new mom could add to that. There can be another reason as well, being on too much methadone. You said she told you they are detoxing her? If she has been testing clean and hasn't been on it for a long time the clinic may let her go when she is finished, but if she is using again it will only be a matter of time before her habit will be full blown again. If your sister is an adult, you are right, the clinic may not tell you anything because she is an adult and they are protecting her privacy. But, you certainly can speak to the manager there and tell her what your fears are.
In a methadone clinic you are tested monthly, at least, to test for illegal drug use and to make sure the patient is taking their methadone. If she is using again it is only a matter of time before they will know but you need to look out for your newborn niece. Most child protective people wouldn't want her to have this baby if she is actively using and may intervene if she is found to be using illegal drugs. Are you ready to take over this child's care if that happens?
Please go to the board here for Families/Partners of Addicts if you haven't already and let the awesome people there help you. Good luck!
granny
Congrats on the birth of your new niece!
Usually, but not always when someone is on methadone it can make you a bit sleepy especially if you aren't doing something, like a job or working at home cleaning etc. Being a new mom could add to that. There can be another reason as well, being on too much methadone. You said she told you they are detoxing her? If she has been testing clean and hasn't been on it for a long time the clinic may let her go when she is finished, but if she is using again it will only be a matter of time before her habit will be full blown again. If your sister is an adult, you are right, the clinic may not tell you anything because she is an adult and they are protecting her privacy. But, you certainly can speak to the manager there and tell her what your fears are.
In a methadone clinic you are tested monthly, at least, to test for illegal drug use and to make sure the patient is taking their methadone. If she is using again it is only a matter of time before they will know but you need to look out for your newborn niece. Most child protective people wouldn't want her to have this baby if she is actively using and may intervene if she is found to be using illegal drugs. Are you ready to take over this child's care if that happens?
Please go to the board here for Families/Partners of Addicts if you haven't already and let the awesome people there help you. Good luck!
granny
It's likely that she is just exhausted from a mixture of the methadone, stress on her body, and stress of being a new mother. I'm on methadone, haven't touched heroin in almost 10 months, and I still nod out when I'm not active. Many people I've spoken to at the clinic say the same, if they're not up and moving around, they nod out. Stress in itself will cause fatigue as well, so yeah, she's probably exhausted, not using. Also, if she's attending a state-run methadone clinic, it's likely she gets drug tested very often and if she's coming up positive for anything, they might put her on a probationary contract where she MUST get the drug out of her system or face termination from the program.
As far as privacy at the methadone clinic, her information is protected by HIPAA. She would have to sign a bunch of releases and do a lot of legal paperwork to allow anyone else to get any information on her. As a recovering addict, I prefer to keep my information private as well. My family had a problem with it at first, but when they realized that the clinic would have to call my parole officer if I failed a urine analysis, and I'd be locked up immediately, they understood that I wasn't hiding anything. For me, it's a matter of gaining back trust. If I give them 100% control over everything, there's no way any trust will ever be earned back. Besides trust, I want to be treated like the 24 year old adult I am. It's not that I was ever hiding anything, but I didn't like being treated like a child, if that makes sense? Obviously I don't know her story, but from what you stated, she reminds me of myself.
I hope I helped to give you some insight. Good luck! Stay by her side and keep giving her support. Addicts need rehabilitation, understanding, and support. Not incarceration, intolerance, and discouragement.
Note: It's VERY likely the hospital gave her a urine test before and after having her child, and if social services didn't show up, you're likely worried for nothing! :)
Note 2: There's no such thing as "curing" an addict. An addict will be an addict forever, addiction is a disease just like diabetes. Addiction doesn't go away, but it CAN be put in remission. If an addict never uses again, that's what we want, but regardless, they're still an addict.
As far as privacy at the methadone clinic, her information is protected by HIPAA. She would have to sign a bunch of releases and do a lot of legal paperwork to allow anyone else to get any information on her. As a recovering addict, I prefer to keep my information private as well. My family had a problem with it at first, but when they realized that the clinic would have to call my parole officer if I failed a urine analysis, and I'd be locked up immediately, they understood that I wasn't hiding anything. For me, it's a matter of gaining back trust. If I give them 100% control over everything, there's no way any trust will ever be earned back. Besides trust, I want to be treated like the 24 year old adult I am. It's not that I was ever hiding anything, but I didn't like being treated like a child, if that makes sense? Obviously I don't know her story, but from what you stated, she reminds me of myself.
I hope I helped to give you some insight. Good luck! Stay by her side and keep giving her support. Addicts need rehabilitation, understanding, and support. Not incarceration, intolerance, and discouragement.
Note: It's VERY likely the hospital gave her a urine test before and after having her child, and if social services didn't show up, you're likely worried for nothing! :)
Note 2: There's no such thing as "curing" an addict. An addict will be an addict forever, addiction is a disease just like diabetes. Addiction doesn't go away, but it CAN be put in remission. If an addict never uses again, that's what we want, but regardless, they're still an addict.
If you sober-up a drunken horsethief you end up with a horsethief.
You have to do a heck of a lot more than quit drinking/using.
All the best.
Bob R
You have to do a heck of a lot more than quit drinking/using.
All the best.
Bob R
