Alcohol and substance use dependence can be a prevalent issue in family law cases. Courts often place requirements on a parent who struggles with alcohol or substance use in order for that parent to safely exercise parenting time with their child or children. One common requirement that may be ordered by the Court, or agreed to by the parties, is that a parent who struggles with substance or alcohol use will be required to screen for substances or alcohol prior to exercising parenting time.
Soberlink is a portable device that can be used daily to screen for alcohol usage. It can be used in the comfort of a parent’s home instead of requiring the parent to go to a facility to be screened. The use of a device like Soberlink allows parents to prove their sobriety and ensure that they can continue exercising parenting time with their child.
Soberlink offers different plans that have different features, including the frequency of screening and the manner in which the results of the screens are received. The Judge, or the parents, will have to decide in each individual case which plan is warranted. The cost of the plans varies, and there is also a charge for the portable device itself. The cost involved can be quite significant. Due to the cost, the use of Soberlink is not practical for some families.
Soberlink is now offering an assistance program for individuals who cannot afford their services. It is called the Family Assistance Program. Soberlink is offering the Family Assistance Program due to the rising level of alcohol consumption and family financial stress. The program offers Soberlink to individuals for free if they qualify. The application for the Family Assistance Program can be found here: https://alcoholmonitoring.soberlink.com/family-assistance-program. An attorney or court official must complete the application on behalf of the individual that is in need of services.
