Prayer For Those Addicted To Drugs

My Husband is Addicted to Drugs – Should I Wait for Him to Change?

This question is answered by Wael Abdelgawad, the AskBilqis.com and Zawaj.com Editor and Administrator.

QUESTION:

Dear Bilqis,

I have been married for 6 months now though I am only 18 years old.

I fell in love with the guy and he was and still is a nice guy. But he had this habit before we got married, he was obssessed with alcohol and drugs.

He told me he would quit after we got married, but I'm getting really suspicious that he is still doing it. I can see it from his eyes when he gets high! And he sits there and lies about it everytime. I say what's wrong with your eyes, he says I just woke up from sleep but I. know he wasn't sleeping.

I'm not pregnant yet but my biggest fear is that when I have his baby, how will he be able to support me and the baby if he wont stop behaving that way. I really love him but I don't know what to do. One side of my head is telling me, “Leave him, he's wasting your time.” Another side of me is telling me to stay with him and see if anything would change.

Why is he still addicted to drugs? Is something bothering him? Please write back.

Maasalama,

– Young Woman from Somalia

WAEL ANSWERS:

Dear Young Woman, As-Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah,

You know that part of you that is saying, “Leave him, he's wasting your time”?

Listen to that part.

I'm quite a bit older than you and I have been around the block a few or a few dozen times.

Having grown up in the United States, I have seen and known people who had problems with alcohol or drugs, both Muslims (rare in my experience) and non-Muslims (more common). I had one friend who died of a heroin addiction when I had no idea he was even using it.

So let me explain a few things about drug addiction:

1. Drug addiction is not something you can reason or explain

There is no way to know or understand why your husband uses drugs and alcohol. It could be that he is depressed and it takes his mind off his worries. It could be that he came from an abusive family environment, or that he is following an example set by his father or some other family member.

It could be that he is physically addicted and unable to stop, even if he wants to. Or it could just be that he enjoys it. There's really no way to know, and it's a waste of time to try to figure it out. The simple fact is, he is an addict and he is not going to change until he is ready.

Which brings me to my second point…

2. The desire to quit must come from him

You can love him, encourage him, pressure him, harangue him, shout at him… it will not make any difference. He will not quit until he is ready. It has to come from inside him, his own burning desire.

Unfortunately, in most cases this does not happen until the addict has hit rock bottom. By that time he has either destroyed all his family relationships and ended up homeless, or he is dead.

Being around an addict will drive you crazy and make your life a living hell. Why?

Because…

3. Addicts lie, cheat and steal

That's what an addict does. He may be able to maintain some control over his life and keep a job in the beginning but eventually it starts to fall apart. At this point he begins to steal to get money to pay for his habit.

And addicts lie all the time, to everyone, especially to their own friends and family. They are not in control of their own lives. The drug is in control. You cannot reason with them and you cannot trust them.

Count this as a difficult lesson learned

Fortunately you do not have any children yet – alhamdulillah, you should really be very, very grateful and thankful to Allah that you have learned your lesson at a very young age and you can get this doomed relationship and move on with your life without any serious baggage to take with you.
If any readers have some advice for this young woman, feel free to post your comments below.

Glory to You Allah, we praise You, we bear witness that there is no God except You, we ask Your forgivess and we repent to You.

Best regards,

– Wael Hesham Abdelgawad, Administrator
AskBilqis.com Islamic Marriage and Family Advice
ZAWAJ.COM Muslim Matrimonials and More!

Related

Источник: //www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/husband-addicted-to-drugs/

Good Prayers For Those Suffering From Addiction

Whether religious or not, prayers or mantras can become a valuable source of positive affirmation in your life when battling drug addiction. One of the most common prayers repeated in recovery is known as the Serenity Prayer.

It was created by Reinhold Niebuhr and reflects the attitude that not everything in life may be controlled.

It acknowledges the struggle we all face in seeking out a path toward serenity and recovery in a world that often feels chaotic and beyond our control.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

A mantra, or prayer the one above, may be repeated daily to help reinforce positive thinking when cravings are creating distractions on your path toward recovery. The Recovery Prayer by Abby Willowroot, is designed to reaffirm your awareness of the strengths it takes to recover from addiction:

“Today, I heal my body, my mind, my spirit, my life. Drugs are a part of my past; they are not part of my now, they are not part of my future. Today, I am clean. Today, I am clean and free.

Today, I am becoming strong one second at a time, on thought at a time, one action at a time. I am learning how to live and to be the best parts of me today. Today, I am clean and free.”

In the Christian faith, addiction is often linked to a kind of spiritual warfare. Within the book of James this verse appears:

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Universal Messages In Prayers Relating To Addiction

There are some common themes that emerge throughout in prayers and mantras relating to addiction. These prayers often relate to seeking truth, demonstrating how muddled our perceptions become when we are using.

They ask us to remain honest and acknowledge the addiction; not to control or manage it.

They showcase the courage it takes for someone to face the fear, damage inflicted by, and the severity of cravings and withdrawal symptoms relating to addiction.

One particular bible verse found within Corinthians, quite simply acknowledges the free will to choose to use, while including a most helpful mantra in contrast, “I will not be mastered by anything.”

“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

The Efficacy Of Prayer

Prayer and mantras as described above have been widely used in treatment and recovery programs, but are they effective? Science supports prayer appears to be an effective tool for relaxing the body, lowering blood pressure, and helping uplift mood. As such, prayer or mantras may be most beneficial when they are recited during times of high stress or tension. Repetition of prayer can play a critical role in reducing blood pressure and inducing calm for the troubled individual.

Which prayers work best for one person, depends a lot on their belief system and what the individual finds meaningful. Sometimes addiction has so far blinded a person from any awareness of good left within them, it is easier to acknowledge good outside of the body, a spiritual awareness, while beginning to reconnect with the good inherent in the person.

Someone recovering from a long-term addiction may find himself or herself in a place of destruction, in which relationships, career, and finances have fallen apart. They may feel unlovable, unreachable at the start. This is where prayer can help reinforce a message of hope that they are not lost, that there is light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel.

Prayers For The Newly Sober

Prayers or mantras for the newly recovered might be more strongly rooted in helping connect the individual with the support that surrounds them, whether that be support from God, family, or some other network. The following is a message that separates the addiction from the individual.

“My mistakes don’t define me, but are transformed by the grace of God. Therefore I release shame off of me and receive love from God and others.”

Other prayers help us remember the importance of focusing on one moment at a time, one day at a time, to manage the anxiety that is recurrent in early recovery.

Knowing that the problems that surround us are temporary and will subside, and that we must only focus on one issue at a time in those early stages of recovery will also help alleviate some of the self-inflicted guilt when we try to think so far ahead and feel we must fix all that was broken at once. The following mantra is part of a larger poem to aid in this one day a at a time thinking:

“Just for today, I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.”

While most are aware of the beginning few lines of the Serenity Prayer, the remaining text is often left out. To paraphrase, the text goes on to suggest living one day at a time is key to finding peace. It also suggests that the challenges we face on this path are not designed to stop us, but to help strengthen us on our path toward serenity in recovery:

“Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace…”

St. Jude’s prayer addresses the addiction accurately as an illness. At the same time, the prayer is interwoven with the notion that the addicted person is not alone in his or her battles with addiction.

Again, it reiterates those powerful messages of unconditional love, separating the addiction from self, and self-awareness that we are no longer in a place of control, but on a path toward recovery from something that has so long controlled us.

“God of life, You made me in Your perfect image, to live in Your love and to give You glory, honor and praise. Open my heart to Your healing power. Come, Lord Jesus, calm my soul just as you whispered ‘Peace’ to the stormy sea.

St. Jude, most holy Apostle, in my need I reach out to you. I beg you to intercede for me that I may find strength to overcome my illness. Bless all those who struggle with addiction. Touch them, heal them, and reassure them of the Father’s constant love.

The “set-aside prayer,” popular within Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous groups, asks the addicted individual to open their minds to the experience of living free from addiction, by addressing specific long-standing notions.

“Dear God, please help me to set aside everything I think I know about [a person, place, or thing], so I may have an open mind and a new experience. Please help me to see the truth about [a person, place, or thing].”

Prayers and mantras sometimes seek help from a higher power or behave as affirmations designed to connect an individual with personal growth and strength.

The following poem, Salutation to the Dawn, asks a person to focus on the power of today by examining the reality of what exists within a person’s life and to celebrate how far they have come, how much they have grown. To live in the now with the kind of awareness that will create a vision of hope for the future.

Look to this day!For it is life, the very life of life.In its brief courseLie all the verities and realities of your existence:The bliss of growth;The glory of action;The splendor of achievement;For yesterday is but a dream,And tomorrow is only a vision;But today, well lived, makes every yesterdaya dream of happiness,

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Источник: //www.drugrehab.org/good-prayers-for-those-suffering-from-addiction/

The power of prayer in addiction recovery

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  – Matthew 11:28-30

Struggling with a substance abuse addiction takes its toll not only physically and emotionally, but spiritually as well.

That’s why Christian drug and alcohol treatment centers strongly believe in treating the person as a whole; mind, body and spirit.

How does prayer work in recovery? The power of prayer in recovery builds hope and provides the motivation and strength to fight the good fight against addiction.

Finding or restoring a relationship with God during rehab provides a powerful Helper while on the journey to life-long recovery. Strengthening a relationship with God through group and personal Bible studies, and fellowship with others through prayer groups, provides an unexplainable sense of peace and boundless hope. In its essence, faith in recovery needs to be accompanied by actions.

Prayer Heals

“Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”  -Matthew 20:32-34

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The healing power of prayer is a proven fact that scientific and medical research equally support.  There are documented studies that prayer has healed many serious diseases much to the puzzlement of medical practitioners. The power of prayer is a mighty God-given gift that can heal addiction too.

No one is without weakness; no one. How we react to that weakness, however, makes all the difference in the world.  Turning to drugs or alcohol is the easy way out and not the reaction God desires.

God offers unlimited strength to those who turn to Him in prayer; releasing control and allowing Him to take charge of that weakness – that addiction – will extinguish its power and hold on an addict’s life.

There are many more benefits gained through genuine faith and prayer:

• You will never be alone in the battle
• Relief from fear and anxiety
• Balance of mind, body and spirit
• Experiencing pure joy which increases the effectiveness of treatment during rehab
• Inspiration to do the work necessary to achieve a new life free of addiction
• Greater mental focus
• Diminished stress levels
• Strength against addiction triggers
• Reduced rate of relapse
• An increase of dopamine levels in the brain generating the serenity once manufactured by drug use
• Absence of depression
• A 24/7 Helper to guide you to making the right choices while accepting what cannot be changed

How to Pray

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  – Psalm 121:1-2

Don’t let your loved one suffer. 1-888-882-1456

Think of prayer as a conversation between you and God. Talk to Him as if you were talking with a friend. Prayer does not have to be a script; filled with ‘thee’ and ‘thou.’ God wants to hear from you – personally.

A good guideline is to:

1. Start with some praise, tell Him how you care for Him and trust in Him alone
2. Thank Him for the blessings in your life; big and small
3. Ask Him for healing from your addiction and share the desires of your heart with Him
4. Ask for forgiveness
5. Ask for strength and protection against the evil powers of addiction

The 12-Step Recovery and Prayer

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference” – Reinhold Niebuhr

A.A. and N.A. believe deeply in utilizing the power of prayer for recovery and healing. A countless number of addicts have achieved successful long-term recovery with the strength gained through praying to God.

Each of the twelve steps is complemented by a prayer which can be incorporated into personal prayer time. Reciting the Prayer of Serenity during A.A. meetings is customary and a good prayer to find strength on a daily basis during life-long recovery (what the Serenity Prayer means).

Believe in the Power of Prayer for Recovery

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” –John 10:10

Drugs and alcohol are not your friends. They are the enemy – the thief – that is intent on destroying lives and families. God promises unconditional love, protection from your enemies, a Helper to guide you and strength to carry you through. All you have to do is believe.

Источник: //addictionblog.org/spirit/the-power-of-prayer-in-addiction-recovery/

Prayers for Addictions

This “Prayers for Addictions” page

is written

to help and encourage those

who are fighting an addiction battle.

~ ~ ~

We have several prayers

including an audio prayer.

~ ~ ~

Before we share the prayers on this page,

we first want to share the other pages

that we have on this topic.

Prayer

POWERFUL Addiction PRAYER

Prayer

Prayer for Yielding to God and following him more closely

For tips on Conquering Addiction:

“How to Stop Drinking and other addicitions”

~

For more Power Prayer:

Addiction Spiritual Warfare Prayer

~

For Addiction to Pornography go to our page: 

Get Free from Pornography

~

For Becoming a VICTORIOUS CHAMPION

Champions for Christ!

Prayer for Help

Dear God,

Help me.

You know what I crave.

You know my struggles.

I call out to you.

You have all the answers on how to be free.

Cleanse my thoughts and cleanse my body.

Renew my mind as I read your Word.

Guide me through this valley to a place of victory.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

Copyright © 2015 Beth McLendon of Inspirational-Prayers.com

Next we are going to present an

audio

Addiction Prayer from Ora Mosley.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Prayer for Tobacco and other Addictions

Next, we present to you the following devotional-prayer.

It is specifically written for a

Copenhagen tobacco addiction.

Nevertheless, you can use it to fashion a prayer

that meets your specific need.

 Every heartfelt prayer

is a welcome prayer to the Lord.

Friend and Enemy

Oh,what a friend I have in you my dear Copenhagen; you've always been very closeto my heart.

Thrugood times and the bad, you've never abandoned me. I've entirely depended onyou thru the most horrific times of my life. You truly have been my bestfriend. You have always sought me and wrapped your arms around me. You haveplanted seeds of desire for you; how great are thou.

Ihave protected you from wicked people who have talked poorly of you. I have hiddenyou and justified our close nit relationship. How dare someone talk badly aboutmy best friend….you can't be the sin everyone is saying. You must love me….and never would you mean to bring harm to me. You've been a great and powerfulforce in my life.

   Mydearest friend Copenhagen,my newest friend, Jesus Christ,

has convicted myheart about you.

Youhave attacked my integrity, my faith, and my direction toward the Lord.

Youhave warped my mind and now I must rewire my thinking. You have also attackedmy lovely wife with lies and deception.

You'rethe same snake that deceived Eve in the Holy Garden. You are the Prince of theEarth, but no longer the reigning source of my heart, mind, and soul. In thename of Jesus Christ, I release you into the hands of the Father; may his willbe done.

I plead the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth over my wife, family,and me. I demand you to leave with your lies and deception immediately! I'm anew being in Christ, and I firmly stand on this from this day forward.

Amen

Copyright © 2008 Tim Miller
Used by permission

Power Proclamations

I encourage you to say these often:

I will dwell on the good, godly things
that God puts into my life.

I will satisfy myself with the good, godly things
that God putsinto my life.

Note: We also invite you to the “very” bottom of the page
to read a Food Addiction Prayer
written by a visitor to this site.

And :

We invite you to the bottom of the page
to read several new addiction prayers
from another visitor to this site.

~ ~ ~

Please consider writing your own original prayer for addiction
and sending it to us on the form below.

~

We all need each other.

We also suggest that you look through our Full Armor of God pages.

Those pages are designed to add strength to our life.

Here is an example:

The Shield of Faith

They are all posted on our Bible Devotions page.

Prayers for Addictions

Scripture

“Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can't find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.” Psalm 69:1-2 NLT

“O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me and set me free.

Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.

O Lord, you alone are my hope.” Psalm 71:1-5a NLT

Back to the top of Prayers for Addictions

Please share your thoughts.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page…

Rescue from the leavened quicksand 
Heavenly Father; I cry out to you to help me … for I am sinking fast into the leavened quicksand. Addiction is pulling me into the deep darkness of despair …

My God is able 
I pray for the addicts, I pray for the children in the cross fire, I once was lost, (life of an addict) but now I am found. I ask this for my son. …

Trusting in YOU L-RD 
Yahweh Rophe Only YOU can change the path of my son. I repent for the days of his childhood when I failed him because of my addiction to alcohol. I feel …

Addict for too long 
I need you father god , addiction to drugs has left me alone , I need you for you are the only one who really knows me, and has never left my side , I …

One More 
Take one if you will and slip away another day. A day used someone else walked, yours gone you just talked Not to add but …

I have a sex addiction 
Pray for me that I loose the desire to just have sex with anybody it could be a stranger and I don't care I just want to have sex. I meet people off line …

Forgive him bring him your light 
Pray fir my lost soul son who is wrapped up in drinking, drugs, smoking. He is depressed. Suffers form sleep path era and wastes his money on indulgences. …

hold on 
Dear lord please help me hold on I am tired and I can't be strong. My life is crumbling from the inside out. I am worthy of your love I have no doubt. …

Broken 
My child don't you know how it makes my heart grieve To see you struggling so just to believe? Don't you know that I love you – that my heart breaks …

How Do I…. 
How do I let go of all of my grief? How do I turn to You and completely believe? How do I let go and hand You my fear? How do I trust You with …

Look To Me 
Look to me my child when you're down and out. Hit your knees and call my name when you're full of doubt. Lift your heart and your eyes to the heavens …

Unworthy 
Unworthy of You, Your grace and Your love. Unworthy of Your Son sent from above. Unworthy to even utter Your name. I'm just a lowly sinner …

The Devil is Calling 
The devil is calling; please help me be strong. For what he is asking my heart knows is wrong. He plays on my fears as he calls out my name. But …

I need help from addiction 
PLS pray for me to be forever free

desperate 
She wrote: I am in a world wind of darkness. I can't break the addiction of drinking, my finances are getting worse. I need to find a job or I will loose …

Prayer for Food Addiction 
Dear Heavenly Father, You alone, know ALL my needs, and all my body's needs, having created it. Food has been my “comforter” for wayyyy too long. …

Click here to write your own.

Back to the top of Prayers for Addictions

Источник: //www.inspirational-prayers.com/Prayers-for-addictions.html

6 Good Prayers for Drug Addicts

Addiction is one of many illnesses that can consume an individual’s life and lead them down a path to destruction. If you are suffering from drug addiction, here is a look at some good prayers for drug addicts. These will help to encourage your recovery.

Prayer #1

Most loving God, we ask your blessing upon all who suffer from addiction. Strengthen them to reach out for help. Enable them to take the first step to recovery. Bless them with the persistence to persevere in the fight to be free. Give courage and hope to their families, drawing them close together in the power of your love, which alone can transform our living.

Amen.

Prayer #2

Bless this day keep me safe and whole

kind and compassionate.

Bless my path today Help me to act with wisdom

and live in perpetual gratitude.

Bless my human family who are everywhere & everyone Bless the creatures and plants May all life be blessed on this day,

Amen.

Prayer #3

God of life, You made me in Your perfect image, to live in Your love and to give You glory, honor and praise. Open my heart to Your healing power. Come, Lord Jesus, calm my soul just as you whispered “Peace” to the stormy sea.

St. Jude, most holy Apostle, in my need I reach out to you. I beg you to intercede for me that I may find strength to overcome my illness. Bless all those who struggle with addiction. Touch them, heal them, reassure them of the Father’s constant love.

Remain at my side, St. Jude, to chase away all evil temptations, fears, and doubts. May the quiet assurance of your loving presence illuminate the darkness in my heart and bring lasting peace.
Amen.

Prayer #4

God of mercy, we bless you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who ministered to all who come to Him. Give your strength to (name of the one I am praying for), who is bound by the chains of addiction. Enfold him/her in your love and restore him/her to freedom through your grace.

Lord, look with compassion on all those who have lost their health and have broken relationships because of their attachment to the object of their addiction. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy, and strengthen them in the work of recovery. To those who care for them, grant patient understanding and a love that perseveres.

Lord, in your servant, Venerable Matt Talbot you have given us a wonderful example of triumph over addiction, of devotion to duty, and of lifelong reverence of the Holy Sacrament.

Father, we ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer #5

Dear God, I come to You as I come to no one else. I am so sorry. I have nearly thrown away my life, my body, my soul —through addiction. But recognition of my addiction has never given me power to control it. You know this. You never blame me.

You know the truth.

Addiction is an attractor field – a low vibrational level. I wound up there because I was trying to escape pain, Or I was trying to experience something transcendent,

And I got stuck.

But there is a better way to escape pain, And there is a better way to touch rapture.

I can receive an authentic calling from You.

Therefore, I surrender myself to what I can be —to that highest level to which You call me. I demand, now, in this moment, Father, that You call me

—that You call me loudly.

You call me and raise me up addiction
—and into a higher level attractor field.

And as You raise me, So do You raise all of Humanity addiction —and into a higher level attractor field. Together we rise, as one force in You, one at a time and together. You raise me because I deserve a better life. You raise me because I am ready to be raised.

You raise me because the world needs me.

I rise and keep rising; I do not fall. I rise because You need me. I am Your Thoughts, Your Voice, Your Hands. I rejoice in my inherent holiness.

For I am where You reside.

You lift me because I have asked
—and because you love me so very much.

Can ever be.

Together WE form a conduit of love. It reaches into my need for addiction and I am healed. By healing myself, I help heal Humanity’s need for addiction. Joy fills my soul. My gratitude is infinite.

Thank You, Beloved Creator.

And so it is.
Amen.

Prayer #6

Lord God in heaven Creator of all things.
You have all power to heal those who are struggling with the devastating disease of addiction.

We pray God you would intercede in their lives and flood their eyes with light. So they can know and understand the hope to which you have called them.

Give them strength and courage take away their fears, grief, anxieties, and resentments. Send your word God heal them, rescue them from the pit of destruction. Allow them to live and not die. Heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds curing all of their pains and sorrows.

Allow them to hear your call, allow them the grace to never ever give up and to always stay focused on you.

Fill their hearts with your word, for your word is life to all who find it and health for the whole body, mind, and spirit. I pray these things in Jesus Holy Name.

Amen.

Here is a look at some great prayers to overcome addictions for anyone who is left struggling. If you know a loved one, friend, family member, or coworker that is suffering; seek God’s help to set them free.

About the Author of this Blog Post
Crystal Ayres has served as our editor-in-chief for the last five years. She is a proud veteran, wife and mother. The goal of ConnectUs is to publish compelling content that addresses some of the biggest issues the world faces. If you would to reach out to contact Crystal, then go here to send her a message.

Источник: //connectusfund.org/6-good-prayers-for-drug-addicts

What Happens When Babies are Born Addicted to Drugs? (GRAPHIC)

WARNING!

There are scenes and images from this video which are disturbing. At first, I wasn’t going to publish this article because of the graphic nature of the video. I thought it over and realized that this is a serious problem that needs to be looked at. Babies are born addicted to drugs every day, and the problem is only getting worse.

How can we pretend this isn’t happening? The time to make changes is now.

Hold tight because this video will stick with you.

How is a Baby Born Addicted to Drugs?

Being born addicted to drugs is a medical term known as Neo-Natal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). The condition is a result of a pregnant mother actively using drugs (most commonly opiate painkillers, heroin or crack cocaine) while pregnant.

The child essentially becomes addicted in utero. When the baby is born they suffer the same withdrawal symptoms any heroin addict may experience. As the drug supply once provided by their mother disappears, the newborn immediately goes into withdrawal.

Health professionals report that the symptoms—malnourishment, unwillingness or inability to eat, diarrhea, seizures and tremors, practically allergic to light and any sort of physical contact—are very painful and cause babies with NAS to suffer a great deal.

Babies Addicted to Drugs by the Numbers

The number of babies born addicted to drugs has tripled in the last decade.

The rates are especially high in heavily troubled states such as Tennessee and Florida, where the opiate epidemic is seeing some of the worst numbers.

Florida is reporting the highest numbers of addicted babies. Much of this is a simple cause of the “Pill Mills” and “Oxy-Express” culture that has plagued Florida for a better part of the last decade.

Opiate pills and even heroin are very easy to obtain in the state of Florida, although legislation is being passed to remedy that problem.

Why Is This Happening?

It is simple. This is just another general effect of the opiate epidemic in our country. Florida is not the only state reporting problems. Heroin and painkiller addiction is at an all time high and every day babies are being born with opiate addiction.

The data does suggest some interesting findings.

In the 80’s doctors reported a much higher rate of babies who were born addicted to drugs crack cocaine or methamphetamine. Now, hospitals are reporting much higher rates of opiate addiction with drugs such as Vicodin or Oxycontin.

While it is certainly possible that addicted pregnant woman are using illicit drugs obtained through the street market, it is estimated that in Tennesse, 60% of all mothers who gave birth to babies with NAS were using the drugs legally, and obtained the drugs with a valid prescription through a legitimate doctor.

This is to say that these soon to be mother’s were using narcotic drugs with approval from a doctor, and still they gave birth to babies addicted to drugs.

Child Services and Custody

This is a tough situation for everyone. No child should grow up without a mother. Yet many of these babies born addicted to drugs are put directly into child services. One can not argue that a woman who actively uses drugs during pregnancy is not fit to be a mother.

However, it is also true that in many cases child protection services are notified but do not take protective measures specified in federal law. Furthermore, many states do not even require hospitals to report cases of NAS.

The reasoning for this is controversial.

To try to avoid stigmatizing mothers who are being treated for addiction or other medical problems, this lack of enforcement was put into place. For instance, if a mother is taking methadone under doctor supervision, that is generally a safer alternative then suddenly stopping opiate use altogether.

However, this well-intended law ignores an unfortunate truth.

This is a tough situation.

I am interested for the nation to weigh in.

What are your beliefs? Should all mothers with drug addiction have their babies taken away from them? Do new mothers with addiction problems deserve a second change? 

If the baby dies, should that be considered murder? You tell us. 

Источник: //sobernation.com/babies-addicted-to-drugs/