During the early 90’s there was a popular television show called “Full House” sparked the interest of a generation. Even once the show was taken off the air everyone who grew up in the 90’s could be able to name all the characters by heart. On June 5, 2008 People Magazine published an article about one of the characters struggle with addiction. Jodie Sweetin, who played the middle daughter Stephanie, started using crystal meth. At the age of 22 she was a college student and was married to a police officer. While she was in school she decided that she would take a break from the acting it was at this time when she started to experiment with crystal meth. Only six months later she was addicted. In 2005 Jodie was hospitalized after a long night of partying. She entered rehab multiple times before she became sober. While she was in rehab her marriage began to crumble. Jodie was finally to reach sobriety six months after she was discharged. For six months she lived with individuals at a treatment center so that she could have that constant support. She also received support from her television family, Full House, as well she immediate friends and family. Now she is still battling with her addiction but at least she has a beautiful healthy baby girl and a new loving husband who can support her recovery. I wish her all the luck in her sobriety and I hope that she could stay clean. At least for her daughter’s sack

Jodie was lucky that she was able stay clean and sober while she was pregnant or else there could have been a possibility that she could have had her baby taken away from her. Or even worse her baby could have been born addicted to crystal meth. It is heartbreaking to see a newborn baby go through withdrawal symptoms. When a baby is born who is addicted to crack who is constantly shaking because their body still craves the drug. That baby did not choose to be born addicted to any substance. For that reason I cannot blame the baby however, there should be more done to help the parents. If the parents fight their addictions they will be better parents. It is only in extreme cases where the children should be removed from parents if they are in danger.

There were a couple of readings which were on the subject of pregnant women who are drug addicts. One of the readings talked about how women who tested positive for substance abuse them would be arrested. This is a good idea in theory because by arresting the woman they would not have access to the substance. While these mothers are sitting in prison her body will experience a chemical withdrawal which is more traumatic to the mother as well as the baby. However, what happens after the baby is born. The mother will have a criminal record that she will have to carry that around for the rest of her life. Personally, I do not believe that employers take kindly to hire individuals who have a criminal record. With a criminal record the mother could never be able to get a proper job so they will remain the poverty. When a parent is living in poverty they will tend to use illegal substances to numb to pain that they cannot provide for their family. What is best for the fetus? I cannot answer that. It is up to each individual situation.

If you want to check it out click HERE