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ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

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Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Fri April 14, 2023 5:43pmReport post

Happy Friday!



My person committed his offences while under the influence of drink and drugs but has been clean for a while now.

Does anyone know if he does an Alcohol test and a Drug test and he's clear will it help his case in someway?

Thanks in advance for any advice xx

BaffledB

Member since
July 2021

876 posts

Posted Fri April 14, 2023 5:50pmReport post

Hey Betty,

Unfortunately not unless perhaps he had a registered addiction at the time the offence was committed. In the majority of crimes being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an aggravating factor but if it is a recognised addiction then it can be taken into account in the same way a mental illness or condition would be x

I don't feel like that makes sense - basically there would need to be a record of addiction with the GP X

Edited Fri April 14, 2023 5:51pm

Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Sat April 15, 2023 11:19amReport post

Hi Baffled, thanks for responding. Yes we are reading/seeing conflicting information with regard to alcohol and drugs being both mitigating and also not helping a case .



Not sure where to go with it so see what solicitor says. My person also shows signs of disassociation disorder connected to the childhood trauma, his college tutor, therapist and a few others have told him this although he's never been diagnosed properly, he tends to black out when under the influence and this was when he got lost down this dark place. He virtually doesn't remember the times he did what he did, he still blocks out negative situations of any sort but his therapist is helping immensely xx

Quand

Member since
February 2022

79 posts

Posted Sat April 15, 2023 1:20pmReport post

Hi Betty.

Is your partner attending any 12 step meetings? AA/NA. If so he can write a letter to say how long he has been attending for if he has a commitment there and what work he is doing to stay sober clean.

The members of the group can sign and date it if he goes on a regular basis. X

BaffledB

Member since
July 2021

876 posts

Posted Sat April 15, 2023 2:00pmReport post

It's a very weird approach in the law for sure! I would definitely collate whatever you can in terms of what he has gone through and advise your solicitor. Perhaps also make an appointment with the GP (or privately if you can to expedite it) to try and get some formal diagnosis. Xx

Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Sat April 15, 2023 2:20pmReport post

Hi, yes we will contact our GP, just wondering if this will have a positive outcome with his case or a negative one, don't want to add anything to his case which will be looked at as only custodial would help :(



It's a minefield isn't it as to what will help and what will crucify them so to speak x

Daffodil

Member since
March 2022

965 posts

Posted Sat April 15, 2023 2:38pmReport post

Post deleted


Edited Tue October 24, 2023 9:12am

Confused&worried

Member since
June 2022

326 posts

Posted Sat April 15, 2023 8:35pmReport post

My husband was in the grips pf cocaine addiction when he offended. He went to NA the day of the knock and has been clean since (9.5 months now).

He is adamant that the drugs where the cause of his actions.

He has been honest since. I don't believe ot has gone against him, but he told the oic on the day of the arrest so it wasn't like he was trying to find excuses after the fact.

It has been said by ss that he "blames drugs and doesn't take responsibility" but I take that with a pinch of salt.