Alcohol and substance abuse problems affect millions of people, and the impact of addiction often proves far-reaching. Parents struggling with their issues might find challenges during child custody hearings in Wisconsin. The courts may feel great reservations about awarding custody to someone dealing with substance abuse issues. That said, a person going through rehab and recovery programs might display a commitment to defeating addiction and becoming a responsible parent.
Divorce, child custody, and rehabilitation
The courts and Child Protective Services officials may worry about the welfare of a young person. When a parent suffers from drug or alcohol dependency, the parent might not be able to care for the child. Sadly, both the parent and child might suffer harm due to the adult’s addictions.
Parents who enter a rehab program and attempt to overcome their problem could find the court appears willing to grant visitation rights. However, safety would likely guide any decisions about child custody and visitation.
Addressing visitation concerns
Addictions might cause a parent to indifferent to the young person’s needs. An impaired parent may not respond timely or efficiently if something goes wrong and the child requires medical care. A powerful preoccupation with substance abuse could lead to the child suffering from both neglect and outright abuse. So, it makes sense the courts may restrict visitations. “Restrictions” might not mean the parent never sees his or her child.
Supervised visitation could prove workable for all parties. The court may allow a parent to visit a child at a predetermined location under appropriate supervision. Again, such decisions focus on the child’s safety.
In time, visitation rules may change. If a parent overcomes substance abuse problems, the court might be willing to amend previous restrictions.