The statistics regarding the prevalence of substance abuse and addiction in our society are alarming. The most recent Statewide Substance Abuse Overview provides statistical data on substance abuse treatment in New Jersey for the calendar year 2019. In 2019, there were 98,628 documented treatment admissions and 96,482 documented discharges reported to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services by substance abuse treatment providers. Of those reported cases, about 30% were for the treatment of alcoholism and about 48% were for the treatment of heroin addiction or other form of opiate addiction. Cocaine addiction and marijuana dependence represented another 15%. Notably, 6% of those seeking treatment had pending DCP&P and/or Family Court cases.

It should not be a surprise that we often need to address the issue of substance abuse and addiction in the context of child custody disputes. We as attorneys look at divorce litigants (our clients) in ways that are different from most. It is our role to advocate for the interests of our clients. That is how we are trained. As a result, we often overlook the shortcomings of our own clients and present our clients in the most favorable light possible, minimalizing their limitations.