Although marijuana has been legalized in California, substance abuse issues continue to grip families in every city and town in the state. This has a tremendous impact on individual lives, especially when children are involved. That’s why it’s imperative that you stay vigilant and be on the lookout for signs that your child has been exposed to parental substance abuse. After all, here are just some of the ways that exposure to parental substance abuse can affect a child:
- Development of anxiety
- Development of depression
- Increased behavioral issues
- Excessive worry and fear
- Poor school performance
- Onset of anxiety-based illnesses
- Increased risk of abuse and neglect
- Increased likelihood to engage in substance abuse
In other words, there’s a lot at stake when you suspect that your child has been subjected to parental substance abuse, especially considering that these effects can be long-lasting.
What can you do to protect your child?
Fortunately, you can take action to protect your child. This most likely will come in the form of a child custody modification that will restrict the other parent’s access to your child. In order to obtain one of these modifications, though, you’ll have to file a motion with the court and be prepared to present arguments to a judge. This means that you’ll need to have evidence that backs up your position and shows why your proposed custody arrangement is best suited to protect and further your child’s best interests.
Do you need help with your child custody modification?
Building an argument for child custody modification isn’t always as easy as it seems. After all, the other parent is probably going to deny everything. Therefore, you’ll need to put in the work that is necessary to gather documentary and testimonial evidence that creates a strong legal argument. If you’d like assistance in developing your strategy and litigating your position in this regard, then consider discussing the specifics of your circumstances with an experienced family law attorney.
