Alcohol Abuse Can Devastate Your Divorce Case

 Posted on July 31, 2019 in Divorce

When your divorce is stressing you out, it is healthy to find an activity that helps you relax. For some people, drinking alcohol is a nice treat after a stressful day and a way to unwind. However, you should be careful that your alcohol consumption does not become excessive. Studies have shown that divorce can increase the risk of alcohol abuse and the development of alcoholism in some people. Alcohol abuse is bad for both your health and your ability to receive what you want from your divorce.

How Alcohol Becomes a Problem

With its prevalence in society, it is easy to forget that alcohol is a drug that can alter your mood and behavior. As a depressant, alcohol relaxes people who feel anxious or stressed, such as a person going through a divorce. There is truth in the idea that people use alcohol to self-medicate. However, the frequent use of any drug has the risk of abuse or addiction. Drinking may have always been an enjoyable activity to you, and you may turn to it more frequently during your divorce as a source of relief. Not living with your spouse may make it easier to go out for drinks after work and to have several drinks when you get home. Binge drinking can lead to a dependency on alcohol to help you relax. Some people naturally have a greater risk of developing alcoholism, but excessive use can create addictive behavior in anyone.

Effect on Divorce

Besides hurting your body, alcohol abuse can hurt your divorce:

• Showing up drunk or hungover to a divorce meeting will impair your ability to make good decisions;
• Your alcohol abuse may anger your spouse, making negotiations more difficult;
• A divorce court may limit your allocation of parental responsibilities if you have a problem with alcohol abuse, especially if you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence or other intoxication-related offenses; and
• The influence of alcohol may make you abusive and violent towards your family, which could result in your spouse requesting an order of protection against you.

As a result of your alcohol abuse, you could lose your access to your children and be at a disadvantage in negotiating your divorce agreement.

Contact a DuPage County Divorce Attorney

Most divorcees can avoid alcohol abuse by being responsible with their drinking behavior. If you have developed an alcohol problem during your divorce, you should seek immediate attention from addiction and healthcare professionals. Your divorce attorney may be able to help you in other ways. A Naperville, Illinois, divorce lawyer at Calabrese Associates, P.C., can handle the workload of your divorce while you tend to your health. Schedule a consultation by calling 630-393-3111.

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zhanavrangalova/2017/10/16/divorce-increases-risk-for-alcohol-use-disorders-remarriage-lowers-it/#5fcb8d2115ca