Things You Should Know About Divorcing An Alcoholic
Even under normal circumstances, divorce can be a difficult experience. That’s why experts note that divorcing an alcoholic is one of the more harrowing scenarios one can face.
It’s likely that alcohol addiction led to problems during the marriage, say the felony DUI lawyers at Moorhead Law, and it often causes a host of issues during the divorce. Should they arise, you’ll need to know how to navigate these pitfalls; these are just a few things to consider when divorcing an alcoholic.
The Link Between Alcoholism And Divorce
Heavy drinking within a marriage can cause one spouse to neglect both their responsibilities and the relationship. Though they may be drinking to escape the perceived stress of their day-to-day life, the result is that alcohol will often spark arguments and cause their partner to feel powerless.
There’s a clear link between alcohol and divorce, with researchers noting that marriages with alcoholism as a factor were more likely to end in divorce than those that didn’t suffer from any excessive drinking problems.
When it comes to divorce itself, having to deal with an alcoholic can make communication difficult, but beyond that, you may have legitimate concerns for your safety (and the safety of your children) if your partner also has a history of violence within the relationship.
Navigating Divorce With An Alcoholic
These variables all contribute to making divorce from an alcoholic difficult, but there are some strategies you can employ to make the process smoother and safer, starting with encouraging your spouse to get treatment for their issue.
While it is impossible to force an alcoholic to change their ways, counseling and rehabilitation can help them on the road to recovery, provided they are willing. Whether they are or are not ready for working on their situation, though, you’ll need to seek the aid of a family lawyer who can help you navigate the complexities of divorce.
The presence of alcohol abuse in a relationship, for instance, can directly affect how the courts handle child custody matters. In evaluating what’s best for your child(ren), courts will factor in the severity of your spouse’s alcoholism, and in extreme cases, there may be no doubt regarding their fitness to parent.
Throughout all of this, though, being able to consult with an experienced attorney will help you figure out what options you have throughout the process and what moves you should make moving forward. This will help protect your safety as well as your sanity as you make your way through this difficult transition period.
