If you are in a relationship with someone who abuses drugs, it can be challenging to know what to do. You may be worried about the safety of your children, and you may feel like you are stuck in a difficult situation. On the one hand, you want to protect your children from harm; on the other hand, you are empathetic to your partner and want to help them overcome their addiction.
However, it is important to remember that you must put your children’s safety first. If you are in a relationship with a drug abuser, and they are exhibiting behaviors that make you feel uncomfortable, it is important to act. Working directly with an attorney, like those at Stange Law Firm, can help you understand your legal options and take steps to protect you and your children from an unsafe environment or abuse.
What Are the Signs That My Partner May Be Abusing Drugs?
Many signs may indicate your partner is abusing drugs. Some of these signs may be obvious, while others may be more subtle. Some common signs that your partner is abusing drugs include:
- Changes in mood or behavior: If you notice that your partner’s mood or behavior has changed significantly, it may be a sign that they are abusing drugs. Drug abuse can cause people to act out in ways that they normally would not.
- Changes in appearance: If you notice that your partner’s appearance has inexplicably changed, it may be a sign of drug abuse. People who abuse drugs often lose significant weight, appear tired, or have trouble taking care of their appearance.
- Changes in work or school performance: If you notice that your partner’s work or school performance has declined, it may be a sign of drug abuse. Drug abuse can cause people to miss work or school or to perform poorly.
- Financial problems: If you notice that your partner is having financial problems, it may be a sign of drug abuse. People who abuse drugs often spend a lot of money on their habit, leading to financial problems.
- Secretive or dishonest behavior: If you notice that your partner is being secretive or dishonest, it may be a sign of drug abuse. People who abuse drugs often try to hide their habit from others.
What Should I Do If I Think My Partner Is Abusing Drugs?
If you think that your partner is abusing drugs, it is important to act. Depending on your situation, some steps may include:
- Talking to your partner: If you believe that your partner is abusing drugs and they are the type that is open to discussion, it may be helpful to talk to them about your concerns. Helping a loved one out of their denial can be the first step in getting them help.
- Getting help from a professional: If you are not comfortable talking to your partner about their drug abuse, or if you have tried to talk to them, and they are not open to discussion, it may be helpful to get help from a professional. Many professionals can help you address your partner’s drug abuse, including counselors, therapists, and addiction specialists.
- Getting help from a lawyer: If you believe the addicted individual is past the point of help, or if they are engaging in illegal activities to support their addiction, it may be time to get help from a lawyer. A lawyer can assess your suspicions, investigate your partner’s activities, and help to remove you and your children from any dangerous situations.
Actions That Warrant Going to the Police
If your partner is engaging in any of the following activities, it may be time to pursue legal action:
- Using drugs in front of your children
- Selling drugs
- Stealing to get money for drugs
- Using your children to help them get drugs
- Physically abusing you or your children
- Threatening you or your children
- Inviting drug dealers into your home
- Engaging in illegal activities
If you are worried about your safety or the safety of your children, it is important to get help from a lawyer or the police. Staying in an abusive situation is not only dangerous, but it can also have a negative impact on your children.
How Can A Family Law Attorney Help?
A family law attorney can help you to protect your children from a drug-abusing partner in several ways. A lawyer can:
- Provide unbiased legal expertise: A lawyer can assess your situation and give you unbiased legal advice. This is important because it can be difficult to think clearly when you are in an abusive situation. Your attorney will be honest about the merits of your case and help you to make the best decisions for yourself and your children.
- Help you to get a restraining order against an abusive partner: If your partner is abusive, a lawyer can help you to get a restraining order. A restraining order is a court order that requires an abusive partner to stay away from you and your children.
- Help you to get custody of your children: If your partner is abusing drugs, a lawyer can help you to get custody of your children to remove them from the hands of someone who is struggling with addiction or went too far and became abusive.
- Help you to get child support: If your partner is abusing drugs, a lawyer can help you to get child support from them. Child support is money that a parent is required to pay to support their children in lieu of full-time custody.
- Help you to get a divorce: If your partner is abusing drugs, a lawyer can help you to proceed with a divorce and protect your rights during the process.
Contact Stange Law Firm Today
If you are suspicious or clearly unsafe from an abusive partner who is abusing drugs, it is important to get help from a lawyer. The lawyers at Stange Law Firm can help you to understand your options and take the best steps to protect yourself and your children. Contact us today to consult about your partner, their drug abuse, and your legal options. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home, and we will work hard to help you achieve that goal.
