Do you think she will have problems later in her life?

monkeykitty83

Drug addiction doesn't run in families, it's a learned behaviour as well as a disease, so no, your cousin isn't condemned to a life of drug addiction.

However, some researchers believe that addictive tendencies may be linked to genetics. Since that might be the case, your cousin will need to be extra careful with what choices she makes. That doesn't mean she will automatically become addicted to drugs, though. Lots of people (including me) have genetic risk factors and still lead drug-free and healthy lives.

Your cousin may have some emotional issues related to her biological mother's choices, and her unfortunately apparently putting the drugs first. Anyone who has suffered a loss or trauma will have some things to process, and your cousin has not only lost her mother, but lost her to choices she made because of her addiction. I'm not trying to blame her mother-- it isn't about laying blame, and addiction has a lot of control over people-- but I do imagine that will affect your cousin's feelings.

With proper nurturing and boundaries set for her, there's no reason to think your cousin is any more condemned to drug addiction than anyone else is, though.

kagura_kana_kikiyo

Any medical issues would have manifest themselves by now, however, there is evidence to show that children whose mothers used when they were pregnant already have a certain...taste for drugs. Some children are even born with drug issues, but don't know it until they try them for themselves.

I would suggest that she not experiment with drugs of any kind, and by drugs I mean the D.A.R.E definition (anything you ingest other than food or drink). She may be more likely to have these issues, but that does not mean that she necessarily will have them. If she's only 11 and is getting away from that atmosphere, then I wouldn't worry too much.

Good luck!

Lori A

This requires two answers.

Addictive personalities exist. It is best to let a child know that addiction runs in their family. That does not mean you have to bash anyone, it just means that it is something that exists and can be controlled with knowledge. Both my sons know the risk of getting involved with drugs and alcohol. If they choose to go that path they will do it knowing full well that there are risks for them.

Adoption is a completely different issue and yes I do believe there will be ramifications from that as well. Much different than being exposed to drugs but still existent.

As far as physical effects I really don't know. You may want to consult a physician on that one.

tinkerbe13

If your aunt is raising her with good rules and morals she should be fine. Her mom may have passed down an addictive personality but she isnt going to pass down the need or want for drugs if your cousin was fine when she was born. Plus she seems fine now at 11. So just keep up the good work. Keep her working hard in school and sports. And teach her about drugs and what they could do to her.

anastasia beaverhausen-the real1

she will make her own choices about drugs.

however- recovering from being adopted? not likely.

cathrl69

Well, some people are more prone to becoming addicted to things than others, it's called an "addictive personality". It's possible that your cousin might have inherited this type of personality.

But it's by no means certain. It's just something she should probably be aware of.

If she hasn't got any physical problems by 11 from the drugs, she probably won't have.

BOTZ

Drugs work themselves out of any person's system (physical body) within a relatively short time -- certainly much shorter than 11 years. Depending on the drug it is between hours and -- at the VERY long end -- months.

Adoption, however, never "works itself out" of a person's system (emotional/mental states -- and sometimes physical). That one, I'm afraid, hangs on forever. I am 36 years old and was adopted shortly after birth. After all this time -- 36 years -- I am, unfortuantely, still adopted.

The pain never goes away. My adoptive parents "addiction" to being my "parents" is still as present as it ever was.

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