Substance Abuse and Divorce in Colorado with John Gilburt | Episode 145

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of divorce and can also be a symptom of underlying issues in a relationship. During this episode, we are joined by addiction and substance abuse expert, Dr. John Gilburt, who founded and runs Boulder Alcohol Education Centre. We cover what alcoholism is, the potential consequences of having an alcoholic or substance abusing parent, and explore some effective testing techniques. 

We also discuss how you can protect your children if you’re going through a divorce and one of the parents has substance abuse issues, intervention, in-patient versus out-patient care, and whether or not rehabilitation can be effective. Tune in today to hear a new perspective on alcoholism and how best to navigate its effects during divorce. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• John’s focus on DNA research with the goal of normalizing unique characteristics of high tolerance response to alcohol.
• A definition for substance abuse and alcoholism.
• Normal usage versus problematic drinking.
• The genetic predisposition to respond differently to alcohol.
• Differences between a low tolerance person who drinks too much and a high tolerance drinker.
• Why a DUI program is such a good net for high tolerance drinkers.
• The science of how your body responds to heavy drinking.
• Protecting children from the effects of having a parent with substance abuse issues.
• Testing options to ensure that a parent is sober when they have the children.
• Soberlink: how it works and some of the problems with it.
• The PEth blood test.
• Hair and fingernail analysis.
• The role of therapy in helping people to develop normal healthy day-to-day skills.
• Why AA is an effective support to alcoholics.
• The importance of psychological support for the family.
• AlAnon and Adult Children of Alcoholics. 
• Extending grace to relapsing people.
• The inherited response to alcohol that turns out to be dangerous. 
• What goes into a substance abuse evaluation. 
• The book Dr. Gilburt is writing: 99 Bottles of Beer.

What is Divorce at Altitude?

Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado.

To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha’s YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here. If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at info@kalamaya.law.

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.