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Be aware of the dangers of parental substance abuse

On Behalf of | Jun 15, 2021 | Child Custody |

Drug use continues to plague the New York area. This means that parents who are responsible for the care of young children are oftentimes under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you’re worried that your child is being exposed to parental substance abuse, whether by their custodial parent or their non-custodial parent during visitation, then you may want to consider taking legal action to ensure that your child is kept safe.

How parental substance abuse harms children

Many people either neglect to realize or simply minimize the impact that parental substance abuse can have on children. However, the ramifications can be wide reaching and long lasting. Each of the following characteristics can develop in children who are exposed to parental substance abuse:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Overwhelming fear
  • The taking on of parental responsibilities due to parental incapacitation
  • Shame
  • Increase risk of abuse and neglect
  • Increased risk of substance abuse
  • Behavioral problems
  • Other emotional issues
  • Poor school performance

These are just a few of the many effects that may strike your child if he or she is exposed to parental substance abuse. If you want to protect him or her from such harmful consequences, then legal action may be warranted.

Seeking modification

Doing so often means seeking some sort of child custody modification. This may mean trying to obtain physical custody of your child, or it could mean trying to place conditions upon or eliminating your child’s visitation with his or her noncustodial parent. Either way, you’re going to need to be armed with evidence if you hope to be successful with your modification.

Legal help is available

This is where the help of an experienced family law attorney can prove useful. These dedicated advocates have seen parental substance abuse cases time and again, which means that they know how to develop the robust legal arguments that are needed to not only advance your position, but also protect your child’s best interests. So, if you’d like to learn more, then continue researching those firms that appear to have proven their value over and over.