Divorces occur for many different reasons. Substance abuse is a common issue that may prompt people to leave their marriages. In some cases, the spouses may have met due to similar habits. They may have done drugs together or gone to bars every weekend while dating. However, one spouse may eventually mature out of that behavior, while the other struggles to do so. The difference in values and lifestyles might eventually make divorce the best option.
Other times, one spouse might develop a substance abuse issue during the marriage. They might start drinking more because of work-related stress or may become dependent on pain medication after a car crash injury. Regardless of how substance abuse developed into an issue, it has the potential to make divorce more difficult. Spouses often have to prepare to address the three complications outlined below in cases where substance abuse may be the underlying reason for divorce.
Limiting financial exposure
Individuals with substance abuse issues can spend thousands of dollars monthly on their preferred vice. Whether they buy pain pills from a coworker or enjoy top-shelf vodka, they may either waste marital income or accrue debts during the marriage to purchase a mind-altering substance. When one spouse discovers the substance abuse habits of the other, they may need to conduct a financial review to demand accountability. Especially in cases where one spouse hid their addiction and financial behavior, the other may be able to exclude certain debts from the marital estate or ask the courts to factor in wasteful spending when dividing property.
Protecting minor children
Substance abuse doesn’t just affect the person dealing with addiction. It can also affect how they treat others. Addiction diminishes parenting capability. Every substance has different physiological consequences, but any substance abuse has the potential to diminish parental capabilities. A parent intending to divorce because of a spouse’s addiction needs documentation before filing so they can protect their children from an unsafe shared custody arrangement.
Preparing for unstable behavior
Substance abuse is often a coping mechanism. People going through times of intense stress may increase the frequency with which they abuse a substance or the amount they consume. Someone dealing with drug abuse or alcoholism can become far more volatile after discovering that divorce is imminent. People may need to take steps to protect themselves when divorcing an addicted spouse. Some people need to go to court to secure protective orders. Others need to take actions such as limiting a spouse’s access to a vehicle so they don’t cause an impaired driving crash before the divorce is resolved.
Discussing substance abuse concerns with a skilled legal team can help people prepare an effective strategy for an upcoming divorce. People trying to leave an addicted partner often need help to address their vulnerability and ensure a fair divorce outcome, and that’s okay.