Substance abuse often plays a role in the divorce process, either as the catalyst for or the result of conflict in a relationship. How do you go about having your former partner evaluated to ensure their health and safety—and that of your children?

Dr. Raymond Griffin has worked in the field of addiction and counseling for 37-plus years. He served as the president of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as well as founder and director of the Greenwich Center. Dr. Griffin has taken part in many collaborative divorce and mediation processes and performed a number of forensic evaluations for federal and state courts. He is also a frequent Continuing Legal Education lecturer and host of the radio show Changing Your Life.

Today, Dr. Griffin joins Katherine to explain his role in determining the extent of substance abuse issues during the divorce process. He shares his take on the degrading nature of litigation and his preference for collaborative divorce. Dr. Griffin describes the evaluation process, how he delivers feedback to the divorcing family, and his goal around helping people become healthy, active parents. Listen in for Dr. Griffin’s insight on the need for awareness of alternative dispute resolution and learn how you can help family members struggling with substance abuse maintain a connection with their children.

Topics Covered

How substance abuse serves as both a catalyst for and result of divorce

The safety issues associated with substance abuse and co-parenting

Dr. Griffin’s role in determining the extent of substance abuse issues

How substance abuse issues are used as a strategy in litigation

Dr. Griffin’s take on the degrading nature of a litigious divorce

When the collaborative process is appropriate for people with addiction issues

Dr. Griffin’s evaluation process

• Series of face-to-face interviews

• Screening instruments, random testing

The difference between ongoing and situational substance abuse problems

How opioid abuse compares to alcoholism

How the I-STOP program has curbed doctor shopping in New York State

How Dr. Griffin delivers his feedback to the divorcing family

Dr. Griffin’s goal of helping people get healthy and become active parents

Why the divorce process tends to be faster and less antagonistic in Connecticut

The need for awareness around alternative dispute resolution processes

How to help a family member maintain a connection with their children

Connect with Dr. Raymond Griffin

NCADD Westchester: http://www.ncaddwestchester.org/

Call (914) 949-8500

Resources

I-STOP: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/narcotic/prescription_monitoring/

Connect with Katherine Miller

The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/

Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/

Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1

The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller: https://www.amazon.com/New-Yorkers-Guide-Collaborative-Divorce/dp/0692496246

Email: [email protected]

Call (914) 738-7765