Steps To Take When A Domestic Partner Is Forcing You To Take Drugs

17 November 2018
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A difficult situation that some people face at the hands of their domestic partners is being forced to take drugs. Perhaps your partner is a regular drug user and wants you to join him or her, and uses physical force or extreme coercion in an attempt to get you to use, too. What you need to realize is that this is a form of domestic violence, and you do not need to tolerate it. Whether this has happened multiple times and you're looking to take action or it hasn't happened and you want to be aware, here are some steps to take in this situation.

Resist As Much As Possible

It's important to resist what your partner is trying to get you to do as much as possible. Let him or her know verbally that you do not want to use drugs and that you do not appreciate him or her trying to make you. Try to put some distance between you and your partner, whether it's going to a different part of the house and locking the door or finding a different place to stay for the night. If you are compelled to use drugs out of concerns over your safety, don't feel badly about yourself.

Call The Police

What you're going through in this situation is a serious form of manipulation and a case of assault. Don't be afraid to call the police. Many people in your shoes might be reluctant to involve the authorities if they've succumbed to the pressure to use drugs, but given that you did so under duress, you'd be unlikely to face any charges. Your partner is breaking the law and may have several charges filed against him or her, so getting the police involved for your protection is an important step to take.

Contact An Attorney

You'll want to get in touch with an attorney after the police have dealt with the situation — typically, by taking your spouse into custody. A domestic violence attorney will represent you during this difficult situation, discussing with you the options for how to proceed. For example, you might want to place a restraining order against your partner. Your domestic violence attorney can help you with that. It's possible that you might wish to separate or divorce if you're married, and your attorney can refer you to an attorney who can handle that paperwork for you, too.

Contact a firm, like The Law Offices Of Fischer And Putzi, for more help.