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    zack19's Avatar
    zack19 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 9, 2014, 01:36 AM
    My pregnant wife addicted to crsytal meth
    It is possible to know if the pregnant women using crytal meth.
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
    current pert
     
    #2

    Sep 9, 2014, 02:55 AM
    Which is it? Your title says she is addicted, but your question is how do you find out.

    There isn't a whole lot that you can do unless you want to hire an intervention team from a rehab center. In rare cases, people have been able to have someone arrested for endangering an unborn child, then have the criminal court force that person into rehab.

    Keeping an eye on her would be a 24/7 job that you can't do. You can try - make sure she has no access to money, car keys, search her purse and the house constantly, follow her. But she can just leave you, and a meth addict will do whatever it takes.

    I would start with calls to rehab facilities to see about intervention.

    Is she getting prenatal care at a clinic or doctor?
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,492, Reputation: 2853
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    #3

    Sep 9, 2014, 05:06 AM
    I agree with Joy... How can you say she's addicted on one breath... then not know if she's even using it in the next?

    If they are using it..they are almost certainly addicted..if they are addicted..its a certainty they are using it. People don't use that recreationally.

    By all means get her tested someway somehow.
    mydogfifi's Avatar
    mydogfifi Posts: 177, Reputation: 37
    Hair Drug Testing Specialist
     
    #4

    Sep 9, 2014, 06:48 AM
    If you can get hair from a brush it can be tested for methamphetamine. If you go to the following web page you can download a PDF file of all drugs abused that also includes side effects. Check page 49 for effects on the body. It a great document.
    DEA / Drug Fact Sheets

    Methamphetamine can do some serious damage to a fetus so I wouldn't wait too long to act.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #5

    Sep 9, 2014, 06:49 AM
    You can also call her doctor and notify him/her of your suspicions. The doctor will then test accordingly.
    mydogfifi's Avatar
    mydogfifi Posts: 177, Reputation: 37
    Hair Drug Testing Specialist
     
    #6

    Sep 9, 2014, 07:19 AM
    But she doesn't have to submit to any testing if she doesn't give consent. Even if it is court ordered. I see court orders on a weekly basis and the person ordered to get a tested never goes to get tested. Of course they usually lose custody when they don't go.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #7

    Sep 9, 2014, 07:31 AM
    Oh, yes she does. Look up Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. I do it all the time. Many doctors and facilities are now testing with or without consent.

    You come to my hospital, you present with drug or alcohol symptoms and you can bet your bottom dollar I am going to test your urine for drugs or alcohol. If positive, then I will do a meconium drug screen, as well as a UDS on the neonate.

    The UDS on the neonate gives virtually immediate results where the meconium screen takes upwards of 2 weeks for a result.

    Mydogfifi, while I typically trust your judgment, this is one area I am well versed on as a Labor and Delivery RN, as well as a Neonatal Nurse.

    We always ask a patient if they use street drugs, believe it or not, Lortab/Vicodin, are now factored in, however if they present with symptoms, smell like alcohol, appear to have a uterine abrution, for the protection of the fetus we don't need consent, we test.

    I understand you are in the business of testing. Your testing has different requirements than mine. I mean no disrespect, but this is an area I am very well versed at.

    And, before I go to sleep after a long 13 hour shift...

    Healthcare professionals, hospitals and clinics have an obligation to ensure the health of the neonate. Without knowing the substance the fetus is exposed to, we cannot ensure the health and safety of the baby.

    In my profession there are commonly accepted indications for toxicology analysis that need no consent.
    CravenMorhead's Avatar
    CravenMorhead Posts: 4,532, Reputation: 1065
    Adult Sexuality Expert
     
    #8

    Sep 9, 2014, 08:41 AM
    Okay this is a tangled snakes den. There are some important details left out. The age of the pregnancy, the suspected use time and duration of the crystal meth, and why the person suspects the Mother is on crystal meth. Most of it is moot regardless.

    If you suspect that your wife is a user than talk to her doctor and the police if nothing has happened with her doctor. I know that my pregnant wife had to pee in a cup once every two or so weeks during her pregnancy. This is a matter of endagerment of an unborn child so the police can order the drug screen. I am not sure how it is in Canada, but I would assume that you're in the states so what J_9 says is probably more accurate than what I said.

    I just spent the last ten minutes googling and reading about the effect of crystal meth on people and unborn children. It scared me a lot. If you have ANY inkling that there might be some involved go to the authorities, they can deal with this.

    Know that if the mother is presenting with signs of addiction, of any variety, at a hospital then they will test you. My wife was tested a number of times during her stay there. The test was to check for protein in her urine but I am sure they did a tox-screen on it as well. We have nothing to hide so we didn't have issue with it, but there is no way it wouldn't show up in your wife's urine. They would then test the child. Then appropriate steps would be taken.

    At this point you need to take steps to protect the innocent unborn child. It's going ot have a hard life and you need to make sure it has the best chance possible. Get your wife tested.
    DoulaLC's Avatar
    DoulaLC Posts: 10,488, Reputation: 1952
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    #9

    Sep 9, 2014, 03:35 PM
    I'm wondering, could it be a situation where the op knows his wife is using and he may be concerned as to whether the doctor, midwife, or hospital will find out? Not sure with how the question was worded.
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,492, Reputation: 2853
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    #10

    Sep 9, 2014, 07:22 PM
    Well if she is... there won't be any hiding it. And I would feel incredibly bad for what that baby if it ever makes it to term will have to face the rest of its natural life as a result of such drug abuse.

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