Substance Abuse

In Matters of Divorce and Child Custody

Substance abuse that may endanger a spouse or a child is treated seriously but compassionately in the Connecticut courts. Substance abuse includes alcohol abuse, abuse of prescription medication and the abuse of illegal drugs. The goal of the numerous programs available to spouses and parents is to rehabilitate substance abusers and protect children, not to punish a substance abuser or permanently remove children from the care of a parent. If your partner is abusing drugs or alcohol, or if you have been accused of abusing substances to the detriment of your children, you need experienced legal help.

What to do if your partner is a substance abuser?

If you are the victim of domestic violence where your partner is also a substance abuser, you can file a Relief from Abuse application in which the Court can grant you sole legal custody of your child, supervised or no visitation with the other parent, and temporary exclusive occupancy of the family home. You can also report the abuse to your local police department, which can result in the abuser being arrested and subject to a criminal protective order in which you could also be granted exclusive occupancy of the family home and other no-contact orders.

Oftentimes, substance abusers who become involved in the domestic violence part of the criminal court system are ordered to participate in programs such as drug rehabilitation and anger management, the goal of both programs which is to rehabilitate and reunite the family unit.