Hello, I'm new to this site. I am a very loving mother with an addiction problem. I am involved in a custody case where my mother-in-law and brother-in-law are now the guardians of my 7year old, only until I have enrolled in counseling and completed a drug progam for a period of 6mnths and no less. I entered into a methadone maintenance program when the court ordered this almost 9mnths ago. My question is as follows... Is there any reason being or anything wrote up in the courts saying that a child wouldn't be returned in the custody of a parent on methadone? Let it too be known that I have random drug screens, which I hv passed all ,regular visits with my counselor, have earned the right to only have to go to my clinic for dosing once a week and am doing very well other than the fact my child,husband and I want our family back. I soon, go back to court to petition for my son to come home with his parents where he wants to be,is loved and wanted here more than ever and we are all getting very nervous. Note... please! I'm only looking for true answers,no judging on medically assisted treatments or me as a mother. I have made my mistakes and I am dealing with my own demons and I do admit my faults so no judging please!! I just want to do what's right by my son and bring him home to a happy,healthy,loving environment that he has always known. Thank you !in advance for any replies that may lead to being able to point out the laws and legal aspects of this situation. We are hoping to bring him home when going to court rather than be involved with the courts a while. Keep in mind, the family is in agreement that my son be returned home, with knowing, I, his mother ,is now doing well again.

You have to demostrate to the court that the problem that resulted in DSS stepping in is... and has been corrected. That's going to take time...

You could hire a lawyer that is intimately familiar with the system and they MIGHT be able to get it done quicker... but the reality is... the longer you stay clean... the more you are able to demonstrate to them you are on the right track... also conversely... the less time... the greater tha chance in their eyes you have to relapse... and they are all too well aware of this.

They look at what is the best environment for the child... not what you may or may not want. There welfare of the child is first and foremost in importance to them... and a safe... and drug free environment is paramont.

Stick with it... stay clean... and you will eventually get them back.

Thank you ! For being so supportive Smoothly. Yes! You are correct and I've been using my time to get clean and stay clean wisely. I just wonder how much time will be sufficient for them to let him return even with allowing them to stay in the pic. I am just going to hold my head up and keep doing what is right. That's all I can do for now:-) I look forward to our every visit until then.

I don't believe there is a set cast in stone number... they look at everything and base their decisions. And if you took two people in two jurisdictions in identical situations... they might end up with two different numbers.

Part of this is looking at you and how you deal... in fact they might do or say something to provoke a response. A lot like being on Parole or Probation... a part of this is demonstrating to them you can follow the rules and follow the directions you are given.

Keep up with it... keep a smile... and jump through whatever hoops they make you jump through... and that will give them what they want.