Previous: 
: 
How effective are the 12 Steps for eating disorders?
Sign In >>
Dr. Kimberly Dennis is the Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. She maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry, incorporating biological, psycho-social and spiritual approaches…
FAST FACTS
Advertisement
Can I trust a newly-recovering heroin addict with our children?
"Dear Dr. Dennis,
I was just wondering what is the success rate for an ex-heroin addict who has been in rehab for 6 months? He has half custody of our children and I worry everyday that he might relapse! He drives my children around (and has while on heroin). I should not live like this, I am young, I am in college and now that he is out my grades are dropping. All I do is worry now -- what can I do?"
The best thing you could do for yourself is get support. One of the ways to do that is to go to Alanon or Narcanon and work the steps with a sponsor.
This would be for you and your recovery, regardless of whether or not your children's father is using. One parent in solid recovery is much better than none! You can make a decision to get the help you need and to step off of the roller coaster that addiction brings with it.
Warmly,
Dr. Dennis
I was just wondering what is the success rate for an ex-heroin addict who has been in rehab for 6 months? He has half custody of our children and I worry everyday that he might relapse! He drives my children around (and has while on heroin). I should not live like this, I am young, I am in college and now that he is out my grades are dropping. All I do is worry now -- what can I do?"
The best thing you could do for yourself is get support. One of the ways to do that is to go to Alanon or Narcanon and work the steps with a sponsor.
This would be for you and your recovery, regardless of whether or not your children's father is using. One parent in solid recovery is much better than none! You can make a decision to get the help you need and to step off of the roller coaster that addiction brings with it.
Warmly,
Dr. Dennis
MORE ARTICLES
CATEGORIES:
Answers
CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES:
Alcoholism
•
Child Support & Custody
•
Cocaine Addiction & Recovery
•
Depression
•
Depression - Teen
•
Depression in Children
•
Depression Supporters
•
Gambling Addiction & Recovery
•
Heroin Addiction & Recovery
•
Inhalant Abuse & Recovery
•
Marijuana Addiction & Recovery
•
Meth Addiction & Recovery
•
Smoking Addiction & Recovery
MEMBER COMMENTS
TOTAL COMMENTS: 12
-
View All Comments »
Add a Comment
Displaying comments 12-1 of 12
Got a Question?
POPULAR POSTS
Alcoholism
(26,184 Discussion Topics)
(26,184 Discussion Topics)
Child Support & Custody
(1,501 Discussion Topics)
(1,501 Discussion Topics)
Cocaine Addiction & Recovery
(1,269 Discussion Topics)
(1,269 Discussion Topics)
Depression
(120,693 Discussion Topics)
(120,693 Discussion Topics)
Depression - Teen
(6,093 Discussion Topics)
(6,093 Discussion Topics)
Depression in Children
(69 Discussion Topics)
(69 Discussion Topics)
Depression Supporters
(1,073 Discussion Topics)
(1,073 Discussion Topics)
Gambling Addiction & Recovery
(3,229 Discussion Topics)
(3,229 Discussion Topics)
Heroin Addiction & Recovery
(723 Discussion Topics)
(723 Discussion Topics)
Inhalant Abuse & Recovery
(37 Discussion Topics)
(37 Discussion Topics)
Marijuana Addiction & Recovery
(1,349 Discussion Topics)
(1,349 Discussion Topics)
Meth Addiction & Recovery
(503 Discussion Topics)
(503 Discussion Topics)
Smoking Addiction & Recovery
(14,905 Discussion Topics)
(14,905 Discussion Topics)
In all honesty this sounds more like the Mothers issues with trust which truly I can understand but until she gets help for her OWN trust issues heck i can imagine her whining and griping to this Dad and that is not healthy for her him or the kids./
Until he gives you TRUE reason to believe he is using abain givbe the guy a chance
And YES while some addicts do slip up Many more make it
Who ever posted this is either an addict themselves or is OK with this fiend's addiction.
Mother's rarely, if ever lose custody of their children.
Furthermore; Four Childre??????
So did He turn to Herion because of the mounting pressure of having to support his family.
Those children shoud be in a foster home.
Unfortunately, because you have children together, the addict is a part of your life. Your only hope for severing that tie is to prove him unfit. Log everything. If he is late, note it. If he is irresponsible, note it. If he is abusive, note it. Then take this to your social worker, lawyer, etc.
The reality is, until he proves himself as a fit parent, you must be your childrens most fierce advocate. 6 months is far from enough time to suggest that he is "clean".
If he has been clean for 6 months he is well on the way to a normal life. (
I do agree that you need a support group. You need to learn to control these fears and seek information.
The suggestion that you move and leave no forwarding address is as bad an idea as I can imagine. Almost every state has laws against what used to be called a "snatch." They can charge from felony kidnapping on down.
The other result of doing a "snatch" might be to convince the judge that you cannon be trusted.You may lose the custody of the children who are with you now.
Maybe go talk to your lawyer.
I'm older than you are, and my advice to you would to join a support group.
I know how hard it is to trust a drug addict with your children, especially one who is so out of control he is putting their lives at risk. I don't know how he ended up in rehab, and it would be ideal if he made that decision on his own.
Join a support group. There's no other way around this, you have to go through it because that's their father and you cannot live this way worrying yourself sick over things you cannot control. Apparently a court gave him that custody, and hopefully he is randomly drug tested. If not, can you look into that?
My prayers are with you, and your children.
Once that needle goes in; it never comes out!