According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in June of 2021, approximately 10.5% of children live with a parent who abuses alcohol, and an estimated 14.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). These statistics underscore how frequently alcohol use disorder and co-parenting cross over and result in a family law court case.
Courts must make decisions to help balance a child’s safety with a parent’s right to maintain a meaningful relationship with their child. To assist in this process, many courts rely on the AUD Bench Card. This bench card outlines best practices for managing parenting time when a parent struggles with alcohol use, including documenting sobriety through alcohol monitoring and testing.
The Limitations of Traditional Alcohol Testing
Monitoring sobriety has traditionally involved randomized lab testing. While effective in certain contexts, lab testing is limited—it can typically be ordered only a few times per month. As a result, alcohol use during parenting time may go undetected, and immediate intervention is often not possible. This gap in monitoring has led courts and families alike to seek more reliable solutions.
How does any of this help quell the concerns that you- a concerned parent whose co-parent struggles with AUD- have? How many times have you lost sleep over the following questions, among others?
- “Will my co-parent avoid using alcohol on their parenting time?”
- “Is my child safe with their other parent?”
- “Does my co-parent have the ability to be reliable?”
- “Is there a reliable way to ensure that the other parent is sober when my child is with them?”
A New Way to Co-Parenting with a Parent Struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder
Soberlink is a comprehensive alcohol monitoring system designed specifically for family law matters. The technology offers real-time, reliable reporting and incorporates many of the features recommended by the AUD Bench Card, including:
- Real-time test results sent to unlimited recipients
- Facial recognition to instantly verify identity
- Automated analytics on testing activity
- Court-admissible reporting
- Access to expert witnesses when needed
By providing timely and transparent information, Soberlink helps establish trust, accountability, and consistency in co-parenting relationships.
Legal Guidance for Your Family
If you are in the process of separation, developing a parenting plan, or establishing custody with a parent diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder, it is important to understand all available tools and legal options. Our firm can help you evaluate whether alcohol monitoring solutions like Soberlink are appropriate for your situation and how they can be incorporated into custody agreements or court orders.
To learn more or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office using the link below.