Anabolic steroid misuse and domestic abuse: Implications for Family Courts and safeguarding professionals

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are increasingly misused in Ireland, particularly among men using image- and performance-enhancing drugs. While steroid misuse is often discussed in terms of physical health risks, its potential behavioural impact is increasingly relevant in family law proceedings. For family law solicitors, barristers, and safeguarding professionals, this is especially relevant in cases involving: Allegations […]

Unexpected results: Street drug contamination and poly drug use

As a leading provider of ISO 17025-accredited, legally-instructed drug testing, we are frequently asked to explain how a sample donor could test positive for a substance they claim never to have used. These queries are increasingly common, particularly in family law cases where drug testing is used to assess parenting capacity, monitor abstinence, or confirm […]

Clarity through continuity: repeat testing in Family Court

Drug and alcohol testing are critical tools in Family Court, particularly where concerns exist around parental substance misuse. While a single test may confirm either historical or recent use, depending on the type of test taken, it offers only a limited view of behaviour. By contrast, repeat testing enables the court to monitor patterns over […]

The dangers of steroid misuse: Understanding the risks

Anabolic steroid misuse is on the rise, with an increasing number of men using them for non-medical reasons each year. No longer limited to elite athletes, these powerful drugs are now widely promoted by influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, often portrayed as a shortcut to the ideal physique. But behind the glossy social […]

Non-standard drugs: the hidden threat in parenting assessments

Drug and alcohol misuse remains a frequent factor in family law proceedings, directly impacting assessments of parenting capacity, safeguarding, and contact arrangements. Standard drug testing panels are designed to detect the most commonly misused substances – such as opiates, cocaine and cannabis. However, an increasing number of family law cases involve non-standard drugs: substances not […]

Cocaine on the rise in Ireland: what latest report says about women and addiction

Cocaine use is rising in Ireland – and women are increasingly affected. According to the latest report from the Rutland Centre – one of Ireland’s leading residential addiction treatment centres – the number of clients using cocaine rose by almost 40% in just one year. And women now make up over a third of those […]

World Drug Day: Confronting the rise of deadly synthetics

Each year, the global community comes together to mark World Drug Day (26 June), raising awareness of the challenges posed by drug use and trafficking. This year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has placed a renewed focus on the growing threat of synthetic substances, with a campaign theme that urges global […]

What to expect at a hair sample collection appointment

Whether you’re due a hair drug or alcohol test or supporting someone through the process, knowing what to expect can provide a great deal of reassurance. Hair testing is widely used in legal settings – including family law and care proceedings – to detect substance use patterns over time. The sample collection appointments are conducted […]

HSE warns of potent MDMA and ketamine ahead of Irish festivals

With summer festival season underway, thousands of people across the country are preparing for weekends filled with music, dancing, and socialising. However, alongside the excitement, the HSE has issued a stark warning about the dangers posed by potent recreational drugs that may be circulating at these events. In its latest drug trend update, the HSE […]