You Can Choose Adoption When Pregnant and Addicted to Drugs

Adoption is Always an Option in Your Circumstances 

Worried that being pregnant and addicted to drugs will affect your ability to place your baby for adoption? Don’t be. You can always choose adoption for your baby if you feel that’s what’s best for you and your child. 

First of all, know that you’re not alone. You’re not the first person who has found themselves struggling with addiction while pregnant, and you won’t be the last.  

Second, please remember that mothers addicted to drugs while pregnant have nothing to be ashamed of. You’re here, you’re trying to get help, and you’re doing all of this because you want the best for yourself and your baby. 

Nothing about this situation is easy, but if you’re unexpectedly pregnant and addicted to drugs or alcohol, there is help for you.  

You can get more information on drug addiction while pregnant and what options are available to you by filling out our online form to get connected to a trusted and experienced adoption specialist.  

Continue reading to find out what drug addiction resources are available to you and how adoption can create a better future for you and your baby. 

Getting Help for Your Drug Addiction While Pregnant 

First things first: You need to contact someone who can help you safely combat your addiction throughout your pregnancy and beyond. If you’re suffering from drug addiction and pregnant, reach out to these professionals to learn more about how they can help: 

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline 
• Search rehab centers for pregnant women by state 
• Adoption agencies who can help drug-addicted pregnant women place their baby for adoption 
• List of national resources, helplines and addiction centers by state 

It’s overwhelming enough to find yourself unexpectedly pregnant, and drug addiction only complicates things for you. But remember that free assistance is available and encouraged, so you can do what’s healthiest for yourself and your baby. 

Choosing Adoption When Struggling with Addiction 

Adoption is always an option for you, and you will never “get in trouble” for being pregnant and addicted when you contact an adoption agency.   

Adoption is always free, and your adoption professional can connect you to someone who will be able to help you overcome your addiction, if you want. 

Many pregnant women who are addicted and have used harmful substances during their pregnancy choose to place their unborn baby for adoption with a family of their choice. They often do so because: 

• They know that the stress of raising a child at this point could compromise their sobriety, which would hurt them and their child. 
• They know that they’re not in a physically, mentally, emotionally or financially stable enough situation to parent this baby and want their child to grow up in the best possible environment. 

• They want to focus on getting sober before they can think about parenting. 
• They love their baby and don’t want their addiction issues to negatively (and permanently) impact their baby’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. 
• They understand that adoptive parents are ready and willing to raise a child with all of the opportunities life has to offer. 
• They want the best for themselves and their baby, and they feel that adoption is the best way to achieve both. 

Again: Hopeful adoptive families are ready, willing and able to raise and love your child beyond measure, regardless of any substances used during your pregnancy. Reach out to an adoption professional now to connect with these loving and prepared families, and to learn more about how adoption may be the best path for you and your child. 

Addicted and Pregnant — Free Help is Available

Struggling with drug addiction while pregnant is often a “wake-up call” for people. If you haven’t previously considered getting help for the sake of your health, now you might be thinking about contacting a professional for the sake of your baby’s health. 

First of all: Don’t be too hard on yourself for not seeking out help before becoming pregnant. What matters is that you’re trying to find help now. That’s a big step that requires a lot of bravery and should be applauded. 

You probably already have plenty of reasons to find help if you’re addicted to drugs and pregnant, but here are some additional reasons to consider: 

• If you’re a pregnant recovering drug addict who worked hard to get sober, and you’re worried about relapsing due to the stress of pregnancy, you’ll want to take immediate steps to maintain everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve. 
• Assistance for pregnant addicts is often free. There are plenty of professionals who can provide help with addiction for pregnant women at no cost, including medical and adoption professionals. 
• Pregnancy is hard enough on a woman’s body without the added complications of substance abuse. The physical toll of struggling with addiction when pregnant can cause lasting physical damage to women and children. 
• Children who are born to pregnant mothers with addictions often later struggle with addiction themselves, or are even born already addicted to the substance that their mother used while she was pregnant. 
• Children born to pregnant drug-addicted mothers have a much higher likelihood of serious physical, mental and emotional problems due to exposure to substance use during pregnancy. 
• Pregnant women with addiction issues often struggle to provide appropriate care for their children due to the physical, mental, emotional and financial problems that their addiction creates. 
• Child Protective Services will often get involved if you’re not taking steps to combat your addiction while pregnant, which can result in your older children or your newborn being taken into state custody (foster care) temporarily or even permanently. 
• If CPS does assume custody of your children, you forfeit the choice of voluntarily placing your baby into an adoptive family of your choice and of the possibility of maintaining contact with your child throughout the years. 

Hearing about the physical, emotional and legal consequences of drug addiction among pregnant women is all a little scary. Being pregnant and addicted is probably already frightening enough for you. But you must understand the potential consequences for pregnant mothers with drug addiction issues so that you can take action now to make the best decisions for yourself and your baby. 

How to Get a Pregnant Drug Addict Help [Advice for Loved Ones]

If you’re researching how to help pregnant drug addicts on behalf of a loved one, you’re in a tough spot. You want the best for your loved one and you want the best for her child, but getting help for pregnant addicts can be hard for both of you. 

Letting a professional help addicted pregnant women battle their illness rather than trying to get them through it yourself is the best course of action. Supporting pregnant women addicted to drugs or alcohol is tough, but being a source of unconditional love, encouragement and support is an important way to help them through their lifelong recovery. 

Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? 

If you’re battling addiction while pregnant, please reach out to an addiction professional now. If you’re considering placing your baby for adoption because you want the best for your baby while you focus on your sobriety, an adoption professional can connect you to help or options for pregnant women addicted to drugs or alcohol. It’s important to care for your health in addition to doing what you feel is best for your unborn child. 

If you’re addicted and pregnant, free help is always available to you when you complete this form and get connected to an experienced and trusted adoption specialist. You can also begin viewing adoptive family video profiles today.  

Adoption can be the chance for a fresh start in your life while also making the loving and heroic decision to find your baby an adoptive family ready to give him or her a safe and nurturing home.