020: Alcohol, Drugs & Other Addictions in Child Custody: The Traditional Approach

Substance abuse is often used as a weapon in family court, even when there isn’t a significant problem. Courts have several ways of handling this issue, and each method can have long-term implications.

In this episode of Children First Family Law, Krista explores how family courts determine whether a parent is safe with a child. She outlines her experiences with families dealing with these scenarios, implementing advice and expertise from psychologist and attorney Dr. Stephanie Tabashneck. Two previous podcast episodes, with guests Cheryl and Mike, explore both parenting sides of this situation.

Krista offers an outline of the tools the court can use to evaluate a substance abuse issue and any additional risk factors. You’ll also hear the 10 factors the DSM-5 defines substance abuse. Together, these tools help attorneys and courts form parenting time recommendations.

Substance abuse in a divorce scenario can be complicated. This episode is a guide for navigating substance abuse while keeping children’s best interests at the forefront.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Substance abuse—primarily alcohol—is a chronic issue in family court, requiring assessments of handling approaches, their implications, and parental safety.
• Krista’s experiences working with families in these situations and the expert advice she receives from attorney and psychologist Dr. Stephanie Tabashneck
• The tools used by courts when a child’s safety is an immediate concern
• Why courts are sometimes hesitant to restrict legal substance use entirely 
• Direct testing methods like Soberlink or BACtrack, urine analysis, hair follicle, and nail testing
• Substance Use Evaluation (SUE) involves an in-depth assessment conducted by a highly qualified professional with a strong background in addiction counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.
• Psychological testing in conjunction with a Substance Use Evaluation
• A sample of questions you can expect from a Substance Use Evaluator (SUE) and the background information included
• Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) evaluations and its insight into a person’s potential proclivity for substance abuse
• DSM-5’s definition of substance abuse and substance abuse disorders and the required criteria
• The 10 factors used to diagnose a substance abuse disorder according to the DSM-5
• Dimensions to evaluate for level of care decisions and what to look for in the evaluator’s report
• Recommendations following a Substance Use Evaluation (SUE) based on the results and when these evaluations are needed

Resources from this Episode

www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com

Soberlink Remote Alcohol Monitoring | Improving Lives

BACtrack | The Leader in Breathalyzers

Home www.NAADAC.org

Adult SASSI-4 | The SASSI Institute

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)

5280 Drug Testing - 5280 Drug Testing, Greenwood Village, CO

Drug Testing - Precise Monitoring

ASA