Wahid Leeman, 20, has more challenges than his fair share, including bipolar disorder, sickle cell anemia and ADHD. His physical and mental health symptoms are due to drug exposure in the womb.

Like many other young Americans, he was diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) at birth, which occurs when a developing fetus is exposed to opioids and is born addicted to the substances.

Wahid’s birth mother was in and out of his life, alternating between addiction and recovery, and died of an accidental overdose when Wahid was 14. “I wish I hadn’t,” he tells People in this week’s issue about his birth. mother’s drug use. “But I feel like he was doing the best he could at the time.”

At age 2, Wahid was adopted by Tammy Cutchen and Steve Leeman, who live in a community near the coast of Maine. Steve is a lobsterman, while Tammy takes care of the family’s 11 children. Both Wahid and one of his brothers share an NAS diagnosis.

Tammy says Wahid’s road to adulthood has been difficult. He has “a lot of anger about his mother’s choices,” she says. He also has reactive attachment disorder, which weakens his impulse control—a combustible combination.

Wahid was incredibly destructive as a child, she says, kicking down doors, punching walls and shattering windows. Once, when Wahid was 7, he even tried to jump out of the car because Tammy refused to stop for fast food.

“Raising Wahid was the hardest job I’ve ever had,” she adds. “I have no idea how I got through this.”

For more of Wahid’s story, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe Here.

In retrospect, Tammy takes responsibility for picking up some of Wahid’s outbursts because “I put him in situations and places that his system couldn’t handle and then I blamed him for it.”

This awareness informs how she and Steve are raising 8-year-old son Cruz Leeman, who has similar behavioral symptoms to his brother. “With Cruz we try to keep the world as small as possible while still allowing him to have a variety of experiences,” says Tammy.

As a young adult, Wahid is aware of the ways his impulse control issues can complicate his life — with long-term friendships, for example. “Like if someone did one thing wrong, I cut them off. Or it could be like you want to tell someone about something and blow up their phone with calls and texts, even if they don’t answer,” he says. “This can lead to the end of relationships and friendships. I can feel really, really bad about it.”

But Wahid’s NAS manifestations don’t dampen his enthusiasm for life. He enjoys fishing and swimming, is a fan of reptiles – including his day gecko Lizzy – and is happy with his food job, “because I like money as much as the next person”.

However, securing its future is the most important task at hand. Wahid is studying to be an EMT at a local community college. Next year, he plans to complete his courses “to get me fully employed at one of the top fire departments.”

“My goal is to be a firefighter-paramedic,” he adds.

His mother believes a career as a first responder could be very good for her son, giving him the opportunity to showcase his various skills as a positive. “He’s very focused on the situations at hand and doesn’t get distracted by emotions and chaos,” she says. “In an emergency, they would do the right thing to keep people safe.”

Tammy says she and Wahid share a remarkable bond. “Wahid is special,” she adds. “He’s worked really hard and overcome so much.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.