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Divorcing an Alcoholic: How to Navigate a Difficult Situation

divorcing a high functioning alcoholic

Divorcing an alcoholic often comes with significant financial implications that can complicate the process. Understanding how to navigate these challenges is crucial for achieving a fair outcome. Ultimately, the goal of collaborative divorce or mediation is to find a resolution that is fair and equitable what is alcoholism for both parties, while also addressing the unique challenges posed by alcoholism. By exploring these alternative dispute resolution options, you can work towards a divorce process that is less adversarial, more cooperative, and prioritizes the well-being of all involved. A protective order is a legal document issued by the court that restricts the abusive party from contacting or coming near the person seeking protection.

  • You may have initially thought that the divorce would take some worry away, and be surprised to find yourself just as worried, or even more so now that the divorce has gone through.
  • Establishing healthy communication involves finding ways to communicate effectively without resorting to blame, criticism, or emotional outbursts.
  • We make no representations or warranty as to the quality, accuracy or completeness of any information, materials, or links to outside websites or materials provided through this website.
  • Before diving into the process of divorcing an alcoholic, it’s important to understand the nature of alcoholism.

The Micklin Law Group, LLC

divorcing a high functioning alcoholic

Legal and psychological professionals can offer guidance, helping you navigate the stormy seas of court proceedings and emotional turmoil. And throughout it all, remember to keep your children’s best interests at heart, providing a safe and nurturing environment for them functional alcoholic husband to thrive. By taking steps to protect your children’s well-being during a divorce from an alcoholic spouse, you can ensure that they have the support and stability they need during this difficult time. This can help them adjust more easily to the changes in their family structure and set them up for a brighter future.

How Alcohol Affects Relationships

divorcing a high functioning alcoholic

The effects of alcoholism on marriages are far-reaching, and divorcing an alcoholic spouse can be a difficult decision for any couple to make. The legal process of divorce carries its own risks as well; couples should take into account all possible outcomes when assessing whether or not they should dissolve their marriage due to alcohol abuse. Detox allows individuals to break their dependence on alcohol while providing them with support as they adjust to life without it.

  • Finally, protecting your financial assets is another vital part of preparing for divorce.
  • The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.
  • Addiction has far-reaching consequences, so getting professional advice about how best to manage these issues is essential for all parties involved in the divorce process.
  • This journey is not only about ending a marriage plagued by alcohol misuse, but also about beginning a new chapter of strength, resilience, and hope for both you and your children.

Support Groups for Spouses of Alcoholics

divorcing a high functioning alcoholic

When you are considering a divorce from someone with an alcohol use disorder, and children are involved, establishing a strong support system for your family is crucial. You will want to have people you and the children trust and feel comfortable with around during the difficult process of a divorce. This can be other family members, friends, babysitters and even involving your child’s school if they are in formal school. If you’re divorcing an alcoholic husband, for example, an initial step would be to talk to an attorney who specializes in family law, and more specifically, divorce cases. Be honest about how the situation has developed or deteriorated, as well as any role you’ve played in possibly enabling their behavior for the sake of the marriage. As a family law attorney, I recommend that both parties should be aware of their respective rights and interests in order to ensure that the divorce process goes smoothly.

  • Hart Ginney’s compassionate and aggressive lawyers are here to help take the burden off your shoulders and get you and your children the relief you deserve.
  • In this article, we will be your lighthouse, guiding you through the murky waters of divorce.
  • Alcoholism and divorce statistics show that divorce is more likely for people with an alcohol addiction.
  • By developing a comprehensive parenting plan and demonstrating your capabilities as a parent, you can present a strong case when seeking custody of your children.
  • We’ll also provide tips for monitoring your credit report during the divorce process, so that you can catch any errors or fraudulent activity.
  • Courts may order drug and alcohol testing and impose restrictions based on the results to ensure the child’s safety.

Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets

We’ll also provide strategies for finding and organizing these documents, such as using online tools or working with a financial advisor. It may take time to rebuild trust after dealing with alcoholism in a marriage, so it’s essential not to put pressure on each other and take it one day at a time. This means the court won’t judge either spouse’s actions when deciding on a divorce. After time passes and you process your emotions, you may find life becomes easier when you no longer live in a home affected by alcoholism. A study in Clinical Psychology Review looked at just how damaging alcohol use disorder is for marriages. Results showed that alcohol problems and heavy drinking are linked to lower levels of marital satisfaction.

Divorce for Stay at Home Moms – Smart Advice to Keep You Safe

Many adults have a couple of drinks from time to time, and this does not make them an alcoholic. Being married to an alcoholic can make the other spouse feel depressed, hopeless, and alone. Imagining your life after divorce can be overwhelming and scary as you adjust to what the new normal will be for you. There are supports you can lean on after your divorce to help you rebuild your life in a new and meaningful way. Depending upon a state’s regulations, ARAG’s legal insurance plan may be considered an insurance product or a service product. Insurance products are underwritten by ARAG Insurance Company of Des Moines, Iowa.

  • These detailed, court-admissible reports help demonstrate a parent’s commitment to sobriety or highlight ongoing risks, giving the court a clear, factual basis for decisions regarding parenting time.
  • According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, over 70 percent of divorce cases involve alcohol abuse, making it one of the top grounds for divorce.
  • A lot of alcoholics slip under the law enforcement radar, and that can make proving alcoholism challenging.
  • If you’re considering a divorce, it’s important to speak with an attorney to understand your legal options.

Family therapy can provide a supportive environment for all family members to communicate and heal from the impact of addiction. When children are in the picture, the decision to separate from an alcoholic partner becomes even more complicated. Parents must consider the emotional and psychological impact on their children. The constant exposure to an environment filled with conflict and unpredictability can leave long-lasting scars on young minds. Children thrive in stability, and the chaos that often accompanies alcoholism can hinder their development and sense of security. For many, the thought of divorcing an alcoholic is accompanied by a profound sense of guilt and loss.

divorcing a high functioning alcoholic

You deserve to be made whole and we will do everything in our power to get you the results you need. Gabrielle is an experienced freelance writer and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience using equine-assisted therapy. Claire is a personal finance expert, businesswoman with 25 years of experience, and the founder of AskFlossie. Dasha Kennedy, Financial Activist @TheBrokeBlackGirl recently had a fantastic thread on Instagram about putting emotion behind you and protecting accounts in the wake of divorce.

Recovery Begins Here

When you’re in the midst of a divorce, it can be easy to get caught up in the emotional turmoil and forget about practical matters like finances. However, it’s important to remember that protecting your financial assets is crucial for your well-being and future stability. This is especially true when divorcing an alcoholic spouse, who may be struggling with addiction and making poor financial decisions. A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on key issues such as property division, child custody, or spousal support, leading to a legal dispute that requires court intervention.

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