Most searches ultimately result in finding an adopted child or a birth parent. Even when you do not ultimately locate the object of your search, the journey usually provides some resolution and answers. An adoption search is a complex process and often a time for much healthy reflection and processing your adoption loss. No matter what the outcome, some healing can take place. It probably may not happen immediately, although some birth mothers have reported rapid improvement in their health or attitude about life after finding their child. For most people, however, healing takes years after an adoption search.

The best reason for an adoption search is to achieve some resolution and peace about your or your child's adoption. During a search, you are forced to ponder your loss and situation and ultimately some healing will occur during your journey.

If your ultimate outcome is a reunion, you may look forward to reconnecting with someone much like you. Often reunitees are amazed at how alike they are. This is not always the case, but often it is. Knowing that the child that you relinquished thrived and had a good life can be very satisfying and a tremendous relief. Sometimes, birth parents find children who did not have it so good, and that is a hard reality. However, coming back into your child's life may benefit them no matter what their life has been like previously.

For adoptees, you may be able to provide some much needed resolution for your birth parent. To know that they are well and reasonably happy may provide some relief to you as well. Although you want to know that your loss affected your birth parent deeply, you probably hope that your loss did not destroy them.

Even when the ultimate outcome of a search is a grave, rejection or the inability to locate someone, you usually have some answers. Those outcomes are obviously the least preferred and are challenging to face. A search might be a journey that you need to take to be able to move on in your life. At least making an attempt can be positive for a person.