I have stayed in a relationship with someone whose behavior was erratic and often hurtful — twice — because I feared what would happen to them if I left. Your life after divorcing an alcoholic is also as important as the process of divorce itself. It’s a tough new start for you and the children but this decision is the best thing that you could have done for yourself and your kids. Consult a family lawyer to understand your rights and navigate the legal aspects of separation or divorce.
When It’s Time To Leave an Alcoholic
That is true whether the alcoholic spouse provides the family’s financial support or their habitual or continual abuse prevents them from working, and you support them. Ask yourself if staying in the relationship is aligned with your values and if it’s sustainable for you emotionally. An alcoholic partner may not be able to provide the support or stability you leaving an alcoholic need, as their addiction often takes precedence over the relationship. Focusing on self-care is crucial, and sometimes this means making the tough decision to end the relationship, regardless of your partner’s intentions or promises to change.
Medical Disclaimer
We’ve put together some recommendations on how to look after yourself and the other people living in your household. Wanting to err on the side of empathy is why your question is so much harder to answer when I think of it from where you are and where I’ve been. As I said, I’ve been the alcoholic and the loved one of an alcoholic.
Insurance Providers
The above client that I mentioned at the start of this article, never had the strength to lay down the law, and she tells her husband drug addiction treatment to leave until he got sober. At this point in the article, it might be obvious that when divorcing an alcoholic spouse, a divorce attorney is necessary. This is especially true if you have a lot of property or debt to divide, or if you have children and need to create a custody agreement. There are a number of ways your partner’s alcoholism can affect the custody of your children in a divorce.
- Alcohol addiction can manifest as behavioural and physical changes, which negatively impact a person’s health.
- Witnessing you drinking can trigger their own alcohol abuse and lead to a relapse.
- Explain what you need from the relationship and, if possible, offer support for their journey to recovery.
- Everyone wants to have a happy family but sometimes, divorcing an alcoholic spouse is the best thing you can do especially if you see that your family is falling apart because of alcohol abuse.
Problems at school are also common, and it stands to reason that they would act out if their home, which is supposed to be a safe haven, isn’t a safe space. Alcoholism is one of the top three reasons for divorce, and it leaves a trail of problems in its wake. Among these problems, domestic violence frequently emerges in relationships strained by alcoholism, adding a layer of complexity and danger to the decision of whether to stay or leave. Finally, being in a relationship with an alcoholic can take a toll on your own mental health and well-being. You may feel constantly stressed, worried, or anxious about your partner’s behavior, which can affect your own ability to function and thrive. If you’ve been in a relationship with an alcoholic, you know how difficult it can be.
