Adoption Uncovered

The Risk for Adoptees Is Real

We all know that adoptees are almost two times more likely to face a substance use disorder (1) and about four times more likely to report a suicide attempt. (2) These numbers easily capture people’s imagination and jibe with their stereotype that adopted kids are trouble. What these numbers don’t do is show us the complete picture of who adoptees are and why they are suffering in such large numbers. Even though there is such an emphasis on these extremely negative outcomes for adoptees, finding the solution has not attracted the same attention. 

Knowing Why This Risk Exists is Only Part of the Problem

Many articles offer very good explanations of what adoptees might be feeling that may lead them to try substances or consider suicide. This tends to draw from what we know about the negative side of the adoption experience. (3) There are mentions of trauma, or feeling a lack of control, which makes logical sense if you understand the reality of the adoption experience for children and youth (4) Even though the reasoning behind the higher risk factors is well laid out and articulate, warnings of what to look out for in adopted children tend to be very general and non-specific. (5) If your kid’s diet suddenly changes significantly, or they are struggling at school or bullying others, most parents perk up and try to address this in some way. These are some of the signs adoptive parents are told to look out for when it comes to addiction based on a quick internet search. They don’t seem very different from problems parents might face in general and definitely don’t clue in on the specific things we know adoptees might feel or be working through.

Science Hasn’t Studied What Adoptees Truly Need

Even when we narrow our search down to the adoptees who truly need serious help, often the help we are throwing at them are generic mental health ideas that aren’t tuned to the needs adoptees have. (6) There appear to be few easily accessible studies that suggest what a clear path through addiction and suicide might look like for adoptees specifically. We haven’t thoroughly studied and therefore don’t know if any unifying traits among adoptees would allow the mental health world to address their suffering. (7) Adult adoptee voices are beginning to gain traction and grow louder, and mental health care for their population is a line item on their list of demands for proper treatment of adoptees.(8)

Adoptees and Families Are Piecing Together Their Own Care

Individual adoptive families often band together to share different mental health techniques that have been helpful (9) but these communities can be small. Sometimes families find that the best techniques they have pieced together to elicit positive change come with high price tags that are hard to sustain financially.(10)

Therapists who are working with several adoptees in their practice sometimes find similarities among clients, but the connections they notice don’t replace a scientific study. (11) As wonderful as it can seem that a therapist is putting effort into finding solutions for those in the adoptee world who struggle with addiction or suicidality, connecting adoptees with adoption-educated therapists is not always easy.

Adoptees Need Real, Coordinated, Fact-Based Help Now.

We know many adoptees need help. (12) It is about time we figure out the unique connections adoption, addiction, and suicide have. Research should be able to do more than name the problem. Surely we can start tuning in to adoptees and adoptive parents who are finding their own way. Scientifically testing the solutions they have stumbled on might lead to a more efficient and effective course of treatment being available to future suffering adoptees. It may help save lives.

Resources to Consider

Healing the Adoption Constellation Database

Sources

1. Yoon, Gihyun, et al. “Substance Use Disorders and Adoption: Findings from a National Sample.” NIH.gov, edited by Antonio Verdejo Garcia, 15 Nov. 2012, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499473/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20adoptees%20had%20a%201.87%2Dfold%20increased%20risk%20of%20any,%25%20CI%201.51%E2%80%932.31)
2. Keyes, Margaret A., et al. “Risk of Suicide Attempt in Adopted and Nonadopted Offspring.” NIH.gov, Oct. 2013, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3784288/.
3. Karanova, Pamela A. “Adoptees, Why Are You So Angry? Over 100 Adoptees Share Heartfelt Feelings.” Pamelakaranova.com, 12 May 2022, pamelakaranova.com/2022/05/12/adoptees-why-are-you-so-angry-over-100-adoptees-share-heartfelt-feelings/  .
4. McCauley, Maureen. “Adoptees and Suicide Risk.” Belonging Network, 20 Dec. 2018, belongingnetwork.com/article/adoptees-suicide-risk/.
5. “Addiction Prevention In Adopted Children.” New Dimensions Day Treatment, 8 Mar. 2023, nddtreatment.com/addiction-prevention-in-adopted-children/.
6. “Addiction and the Adopted Child.” drugrehab.org, http://www.drugrehab.org/addiction-and-adoption/ .
7. Furst, Brett. “The Intersection of Adoption and Addiction.” AdoptionCouncil.org, 22 June 2022, adoptioncouncil.org/publications/the-intersection-of-adoption-and-addiction/ .
8. Owings-Fonner, Nicole. “Research roundup: Working with adults adopted as children.” Apaservices.org, Nov. 2018, http://www.apaservices.org/practice/ce/expert/adults-adopted .
9. Adopteesandaddiction.com, http://www.adopteesandaddiction.com/.
10. National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, drugabusestatistics.org/cost-of-rehab/.
11. Coppola, Lisa. “An Inner Turmoil: The Adoptee Struggling with Addiction and Challenges in Recovery.” Boston Post Adoption Resources, Sept. 2018, bpar.org/adoptee-addiction-recovery/ .
12. Riben, Mirah. “Toward Preventing Adoption-Related Suicide.” Huffpost, 6 Dec. 2017, http://www.huffpost.com/entry/toward-preventing-adoptio_b_8127882.