I marvel at the fact she’s never gotten scared about her drinking and drug abuse before now. It may be different in California, but in the UK, parents with court recognised care do not get to abuse alcohol or substances with flagrant disregard for how it impacts their children when in their sole care. They don’t get to do it full stop in acrimonious divorces because that’s handing the other party more than enough to leave you having every other weekend if that and paying maintenance. Lawyers argue for tests. They take a strand of your hair and test it to see just how bad a drunk parent you’ve been for a period of I think 6 months, minimum. MAlice, you gonna have to shave your head if you want to be able to hide what you are. Then the judge will know anyway.
Edited to add - yes I’m speaking from experience of an abuser just like drunk MAlice and all her ailments that are really hangovers. I stood up. Ioan, stand up. You can beat this.
Second edit - I am referring to divorce cases where cafcass and social services get involved. I’m not suggesting the uk social children’s care system is robust outside of that in any way because it isn’t. I’m referring to MAlices specific situation as it happens in the uk. It’s a basic case of FAFO with Anne kiley - she’ll be chomping at the bit for this.