Trial judges make scores of decisions every day, ranging from the simple to the complex. Among the most complex are those involving the impact of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) on the issues before the judge. Whether it is a disputed parenting plan, the appointment of a guardian, the safety of a child in a parent’s care, or the appropriate sentence or disposition, decisions involving AUD pose major challenges for judges. Judges need a starting place to begin this decision-making process when AUD is present.
Alcohol is a legal, socially acceptable and culturally ingrained substance. Its use and misuse are hard to measure in an accurate and timely manner. Testing for alcohol use is expensive and hard to access for many people. It is often unclear what resources are available. Anyone who has spent time with someone misusing alcohol can recognize the signs but proving that allegation in court is extremely difficult. Even if the judges have received AUD training, they cannot substitute their wisdom and expertise for the testimony, test results, and recommendations of an expert.
Alcohol misuse is a complex and challenging issue for judges and litigants. AUD can have significant and long-term impacts on the person, the family, and the community. It is critical that judges do the right things in cases involving AUD. But for many reasons, doing the right thing can be difficult to determine. That is why this AUD Bench Card is so valuable. Though it contains the most current research and data about AUD, it is also easy to understand and explain.
Judges could distribute this resource to counsel, litigants, and professionals involved in the case. Individual jurisdictions can supplement the Bench Card to reflect unique procedures or programs. It is usable across the judiciary and various different dockets. Most importantly, the following flow chart provides a road map for how judges can manage cases involving AUD to best serve the news of the litigants, the court and the community. This Bench Card, however, should not replace resources to identify forms of violence that may be present and must be independently addressed. Ultimately, the desired outcome is to inform judges to support safe and healthy family connections, engagement, and stability.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing, brain-based disease characterized by continued use of a substance despite significant harmful consequences. When an individual becomes addicted to a substance, significant changes occur in their brain. Addiction disrupts the brain’s reward system and produces powerful cravings. The pleasure from alcohol is experienced as more satisfying than other experiences typically perceived as pleasurable, such as relationships, food, and sex. Significant dysfunction occurs in psychological, social, and biological functioning.
This is often most noticeable in the continued use of alcohol even when use leads to major life problems. Like other chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, addiction generally involves a series of relapses followed by remission. Improper treatment, stress, and unmanaged co-occurring conditions (e.g. mental illness, medical problems) can increase relapse risk. In fact, individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder are at risk of relapse even after many years of recovery.
The criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder are set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). The Central aspect of an Alcohol Use Disorder is problematic use of alcohol resulting in significant impairment or distress. Symptoms which may or may not be present include use of larger amounts of alcohol over time, failure at efforts to stop or control alcohol use, strong urges to use, a need for larger amounts of alcohol over time or diminished effects of alcohol, withdrawal, and excessive amount of time dedicated to obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol. NOTE: For individuals with AUD, student cessation of alcohol use may carry significant health risks.
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