im sorry for your pain. There is always hope! my son is in recovery 22 months ( opiate addiction) the last one was his third time. Don't give up hope, but you also have to understand it is up to her to want to get clean and sober. I don't know if you have attended NA or AA or any other support groups, but do something for you to help you to understand addiction. None of us know what their bottom is, so the answer to will this keep going on and on, only she's knows. However, you can stop the insanity that addiction creates. It may not be that easy to take the baby away from here, and you need to do that only because you feel your grandchild is in danger, not because you think you will bring her bottom any closer. I hope that she will embrace sobriety and see that she has this beautiful life that needs a mom. don't give up hope. hugs

My mom did recover kind of. She stayed clean for about 15-16 years before relapsing. If she continues to use, take your grandchild if you can. Growing up with an addict has created more issues in myself than I knew I had until recently.

If she is using the child has to be removed. It will help the child. Your daughter will ask for help, again, when she's ready. I know that each situation is different but when it comes to addiction, it's like "I've seen that before". If she is using she is unable to properly care for the baby. The father being an addict only makes things worse. And you'll be sure that the baby is in safe hands.

My answer: it depends on what you consider "recovered" and what you consider "a long time"

My feeling is that addiction is often a symptom of a deeper emotional distress, and until they deal with that they will always struggle. I know people who have been sober for decades and seem to live normal happy and healthy lives. And others whom still very much act like addicts even if they are technically sober. I've been to meetings and heard stories of decades of sobriety. It's very inspiring!

My girlfriend is 11 years sober from heroin. But she has very serious mental health and self image issues that she is still working on, and basically can't handle her own affairs right now. And staying sober is still a struggle for her. She started using at 14, and from what I understand spent the next 12 years trying to sober up and then relapsing time and time again. Add some stress from the last few months and I think she was close to relapsing again. It's a lifetime struggle, and I think that is a more common scenario than one where the addict is completely worry-free.

I've been told to look for progress and not perfection. It's a bumpy road.

Statistically, it does keep going & going. There are a few stories here & there that give us hope. Go over to the grandparents rsising grandchildren board & browse the posts, it might give you some insight into your other question.

Thank you all for your kind words. I will take it one day at a time and will take into consideration all your wisdom below.

My ex has been clean for two years and he is in his middle 40's. Average time a person goes to rehab is three times so maybe this will be the last. What I do know is if a person is under age 30 and quits they usually do not go back, they decide they want more in life and drugs and drinking is holding them back. If over age 30 than it becomes more of a life long problem and they will have times using and not using and as they grown older usually the times not using get longer, but not always and most will die from from their disease. If a parent or grandparent had a problem with addiction then there is a higher chance of addiction in offspring.
Your daughter I hope decided for herself to get help, and I would wait and see how she does before deciding to try and get custody. Sometimes have a life changing experience can help the person stay clean. My ex got clean and stayed clean because he has a child now.

I have a friend brother mother and cousin all recovered from alcoholism and other substance abuse..

I have a son I'm hoping and praying I can add to the list.

Yes recovery is possible ! My sister was addicted to opiates for years do to a medical problem originally. After a few close calls she decided to change and she did. It has been about 9 years now that she has been sober, my son was addicted to heroin and nearly died more than once. I begged cried pleaded and policed nagged worried and sat by numerous hospital beds all night and none if it did any good until he decided he didn't want to do heroin anymore which is now going on 14 months ( still very early in his recovery) and it has not been without a few relapses but changes are taking place and that is what I pray for for him to see what drugs were doing to him and he seems to be waking up. Please never lose hope I know at times it seems hopeless but keep praying and learning about this disease . Hugs Dee

I would like to believe that there is always hope. Both my half brother and half sister are addicts. My sister went to rehab, had a relapse then out of the blue just stopped one day and has been drug free for 8 months. My brother on the other hand continues to use even after overdosing. I had hoped there was hope for him, but until my parents completely shut him off and my step mother stops enabling him, things won't change. If the saftey and well being of your grandaughter is at stake take her. Bring her up in a loving environment free of drugs. I am sending positive vibes and prayers your way. Stay stong.