Good question re: her son. I don't know the answer. But I do know that methadone has a really bad rap because of its use in heroin addicts. But for those in severe, chronic pain, it is one of the best long acting pain relief medications prescribed today.
Lots of times folks are put on things like methadone, percocet, vicodin, etc. after surgery of some kind and their kids get into it. Not having the awareness or discipline or doctor's care, they don't know of the damage they do to themselves. Prescription drug abuse among young people is THE fastest rising category of drug usage according to latest reports from ONDCP.
If ANS was taking this during pregnancy and it was for some addiction problem, then clearly her doctor thought it was better than the alternative -- perhaps street drug abuse. It can be very useful in weaning during pregnancy in particular with a lot less harm to the baby than whatever else may get taken. IF it was for chronic pain, it can be taken down to levels that it doesn't even cross the placenta or cause any dependence issues whatsoever -- the 2.5 to 5 mg range per day.
There is a ton of misinformation out there about chronic pain management, particularly during pregnancy. It is highly misunderstood, even by many ob-gyns. Given her age and potentially other complications, she was probably under the care of a perinatologist....they are far better versed in these things.
For either ANS or Daniel, though, if there was an "opiate cocktail" dosage going on, then there is no doubt that death would be the result.
When we brought my mother home last year with Hospice, methadone was the drug they sent her home with.
And my father-in-law takes it for his back pain.
Interesting... thanks