freedOM from
Legal issues

Are you or someone you love…

  • Currently incarcerated due to drug/alcohol related crimes?
  • At risk of losing your licence or your freedom due to substance abuse?
  • In the destructive cycle of re-offending and incarceration?


with freedOM coaching has been working alongside individuals just like you and changing the trajectory of lives so that our clients are living a life with freedOM from legal issues.

We can work alongside your legal team, conducting a recognised Comprehensive Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment (this can be done for clients whilst incarcerated), we can provide court reports and attend as a witness alongside you at your bail application and/or court appearances.

With freedOM coaching works alongside many criminal lawyers to assist clients in obtaining bail and/or assistance for clients with addiction and/or trauma issues.

And most importantly we can provide you a platform and tools to life with freedOM from addiction and from its legal consequences long term through the 18-week Living Free Program.

Depressed man
Compassionate wife giving comfort and encourage support to sad husband

Comprehensive Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment

with freedOM coaching coaches are trained in conducting a comprehensive alcohol and other drug assessment as per the Victorian Government approved assessment tools.

This consists of an interview with a potential client for between 1-2 hours and can be done whilst incarcerated, in person or via telephone or zoom.

Our with freedOm coach will work through a 5 page Self-Completed Assessment with a potential client – assessing the role that alcohol and/or drugs has played in the clients life in the month prior to assessment.

Then the coach will work through the 18-page AOD Comprehensive Assessment with the client covering off a psycho-social history and a comprehensive addiction history – including gambling, food and sex addictions.

This assessment will then form the basis to determine the likelihood of a substance abuse disorder as per the DSM-5 Substance Use Disorder Criteria.

This assessment will then form the basis and reference for any bail application reports required for court.

A Substance use disorder is a cluster of cognitive, behavioural, and physiological symptoms, indicating that the person continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems. Criteria fit within overall groupings of impaired control, social impairment, and risky use.

Impaired control (Criteria 1-4)

1. Taking the substance in larger amounts or over a longer period than was originally intended.
2. Expressing a persistent desire to cut down or regulate substance use and may report
multiple unsuccessful efforts to decrease or discontinue use
3. Spending a great deal of time obtaining the substance, using the substance, or recovering from its effects.
4. In more severe substance use disorders, virtually all of the individual’s daily activities revolve around the substance.

Impaired control (Criteria 5-7)

5. Recurrent substance use may result in a failure to fulfil major role obligations at work,
school, or home
6. The individual may continue substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance
7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities may be given up or reduced
because of substance use. The individual may withdraw from family activities and hobbies in order to use the substance.

Risky use of the substance (Criterial 8 and 9

8. Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
9. The individual may continue to substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.

Pharmacological criteria (Criterial 10 and 11)

10. Tolerance – requiring a markedly increased dose of the substance to achieve the desired effect or a markedly reduced effect when the usual dose is consumed.
11. Withdrawal is a syndrome that occurs when blood or tissue concentrations of a substance decline in an individual who had maintained prolonged heavy use of the substance. After developing withdrawal symptoms, the individual is likely to consume the substance to relieve the symptoms.

Severity

Mild disorder is suggested by the presence of two symptoms.
Moderate disorder is suggested by four to five symptoms.
Severe disorder is suggested by six or more symptoms.

Court Report

with freedOM coaching can provide reports for the magistrates, country and supreme courts. These will vary depending on the requirements of each client and where they are at in relation to their legal matters. Examples of reports can be: initial bail application reports, progress reports, letters of support.

Bail Application

Clients who are applying for bail with conditions to seek addiction treatment and bail monitoring from with freedOM coaching can make contact either directly or through their legal team. A Comprehensive Assessment must be completed first which forms the basis of a court report which will be presented to the magistrate to assist with the application for bail.

Court Appearances

with freedOM coaching will appear alongside clients at bail applications to assist in clients being bailed with conditions to undertake the 18-week Living Free Program.
with freedOM coaching can appear as a witness for follow up court appearances, and/or in Koori Court proceedings as required by the client and their legal team.

Young loving supportive woman wife holding hand of upset depressed husband