The court filing, submitted on August 21, accuses Lochte of inhaling nitrous oxide in front of one of their three children and alleges the presence of cocaine in their shared home. Kayla is seeking sole physical custody of their children—Caiden, 8, Liv, 6, and Georgia, 2—as a result of these accusations.

In response, Lochte acknowledges past struggles with substance use but firmly denies ever endangering his kids. “While I have used drugs in my home, I have never done so in front of or around my children. I have never driven them under the influence,” he stated in an interview with Us Weekly.

Lochte explained that his substance use began after a severe car accident in Gainesville, Florida, in 2023, which he described as a “near-death experience.” The incident left him with a broken leg, requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation. “I fell into a cycle of depression that led to substance abuse,” he revealed.

During this difficult period, Lochte says he occasionally retreated to his truck before entering the house—not because he was impaired, but to decompress from what he called a “toxic and overwhelming” home environment.

Months after the accident, Lochte entered a recovery program. He recently shared with his followers that he has been sober for 54 days. “We all make mistakes in life. We are not defined by those mistakes, but by how we learn from them and the work we put in to overcome them,” he said.

He also offered encouragement to others facing similar challenges: “To anyone struggling with substance abuse—you are not alone. There are people who love you, and resources are available. Reaching out is the first step toward healing.”

The divorce proceedings between Lochte and his wife remain ongoing. Kayla has additionally requested spousal support, exclusive use of their Florida home, and permission to relocate with the children to California.