Everything You Need to Know About How Drug and Alcohol Use Can Affect Child Custody Agreements in California
Posted on: March 15, 2023
If you are divorcing a partner who uses drugs or alcohol and you have kids together, you might be concerned about what would happen if your ex-partner was given custody. Will your child be impacted by their drug or alcohol use? To speak with a family law attorney, call Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 after reading on to learn how drug and alcohol usage might affect child custody decisions.
Drug And Alcohol Abuse Can Significantly Affect a Parent’s Capacity to Raise Their Child Safely
The effects of substances of abuse on behavior and parenting are discussed in a government handout titled “The Effects of Substances of Abuse on Behavior and Parenting.” They point out that parents may overlook or forget about their parental duties. Parents may go out all night and leave their kids alone, or they may go through depressive or irrational phases, which makes the house a dangerous place for the kids to be.
If a parent has taken cocaine, they can notice that their child is wailing much more loudly and forcefully than they would otherwise. Due to cocaine addicts’ incapacity to accurately read the behavior of individuals around them, they may get irate and even violent with the youngster. A parent who is abusing opioids might “nod off” and be unable to look after their child. Even marijuana can make parents drowsy and neglectful of their children.
When the Court Intervened in a Drug-Related Custody Case
If the issue interferes with the parent’s capacity to safely care for their child, the court might become involved. When a divorce or child custody dispute is in the works, these difficulties frequently arise. In other situations, the Department of Child Protection Services may receive a complaint from a teacher, a neighbor, or a physician, and an investigation will be opened.
If these accusations are presented in a family court proceeding, the judge would probably demand proof. The judge’s job is to decide what is best for the child, therefore it stands to reason that if one spouse abuses drugs or alcohol, the judge’s decision in the custody dispute will be impacted.
What to Do If You Are Concerned About Your Kid Being Around a Parent Who Uses Drugs or Alcohol
If you are concerned that your child is not safe while they are around a parent who habitually consumes alcohol or drugs, you should take action. Call 9-1-1 if you think they are in urgent danger. If not, note the other parent’s actions and any bad effects they may have had on your child. Then speak with a skilled family law attorney who can guide you toward the best course of action for defending your child. You can reach Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.
