If you are struggling with addiction but still want to maintain a relationship with your children, it’s important to understand your parenting time and visitation rights. These factors will likely be affected because of your addiction but your parental rights could remain intact as long as your interaction with your child is in the child’s best interest. If you need to know about the law when it comes to child custody and you’re an Arizona resident, here is some helpful information.
How visitation is affected
According to family law, when it comes to alcohol abuse, the courts are usually concerned with enforcing the proper safety measures so that children can continue to flourish under the care of both parents. Working with the courts will help you remain active in your child’s life even if you’re dealing with a past or current addiction.
Substance abuse, dependence, and addiction
These phrases are usually used to describe the same condition. However, dependence, addiction or abuse of substances can also refer to prescription medications as well as alcohol and illicit drugs. The way you describe your struggle with substances can affect your visitation and custody arrangements according to family law judges.
Addiction is classified as relying on or severely craving a substance that is addictive. A person is classified as an addict if they depend on drugs or alcohol to function. One of the leading addictions in the United States is alcohol abuse yet only about 10% of people who deal with this addiction receive treatment.
Substance dependence is usually not as serious as addiction. This usually refers to when someone needs medication to treat a health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure and would have to wean themselves off the medication over time.