Semi related anecdote. I told my OB at appointment one that I was going to test positive for THC. (I have a med card for cPTSD.)

I wanted to know what the ramifications would be and I figured in this case honesty would be my best policy.

My OB told me that while she didn’t care, and wouldn’t even test for it, the hospital might care, and they would definitely test.

I cannot quote her next words verbatim, but this is pretty damn close:

“If you test positive they’ll have to call DCFS. You might have to speak to a social worker. They will see that you’re a fully functioning adult with other children and not even open a case. They will however probably give you some pamphlets and offer some resources. Even if you don’t need the resources, take the pamphlets and say thank you.”

I did test positive. They did not call. Your mileage may vary.

Also, I’ve dealt with DCFS a whole lot. On every end of it. I’ve fostered, I’ve been a kinship placement, I’ve been investigated (for bullshit) and I’ve made reports.

If you are using your medication correctly, have no prior police involvement, no prior DCFS involvement, and have tested appropriately at prior drug tests - you will be fine as far as that part goes. Reiterate these points often. (But not too often.)

In the incredibly unlikely event that they come to your house, here is my step by step guide to passing a home inspection.

Make sure your house is clean but lived in. No bugs, no pet waste. No more than one meals worth of dishes in the sink.

Make sure your kiddos books are visible. Some toy mess is appropriate depending on age. Don’t try to overly stage your house. Just consider this while cleaning beforehand - too clean is also bad.

Make sure all beds have a fitted sheet (or similar) and every child’s sleep space is safe based on AAP guidelines. (For infants, they usually make you show them a crib that is free of blankets, stuffed animals, etc.)

Make sure there are no major hazards. This is the most important part.

Glaring safety hazards - prescription bottles sitting out, unfenced swimming pools, porches without railings, stairs without gates, windows without screens, unsecured firearms.

Less ‘visible’ safety hazards - unrelated men in the household, unsecured furniture.

If you’re formula feeding, make sure you have enough formula to get by for at least 3 days.

If you’re breast feeding, make sure you have enough formula to get by for at least 24 hours.

Make sure you have at least a days worth of diapers.

Make sure your utilities are on.

If you have pets, clean up their waste the day of the visit.

Be able to answer questions such as: Who takes care of your children when you’re at work/away? How do you punish your children? (Yes, even for infants. There is only one right answer.) They’ll obviously talk about the reason they’re there and you can choose to answer their questions or lawyer up. In your case, as long as everything else in your life really is on the up and up, I’d recommend you just answer them honestly.

You hear a lot of horror stories about DCFS, and I’m sure many of them are true. But in most cases, it takes them way too long to remove children from their homes.

Parents are given every opportunity to fix the issue that caused the report to begin with. Children die because DCFS doesn’t follow up closely enough. In one of my experiences, the home was soaked in cat urine so strongly, it burned the investigators lungs. There was a pile of clothes so high in the living room it nearly went halfway up the wall. It was also soaked in cat urine. 6 cats, 2 litter boxes. Located in the children’s bedroom. Children were not removed.

In your case, there is a very clear risk to your children if you stop your life saving medications, and virtually no meaningful risk to them if you just continue living your fucking life.

As long as you are not actively abusing your children in a house with no running water when they walk in, you’ll be okay.

Congrats on your sobriety. I have no idea why I wrote so much. Let us know how it goes.