The prospect of divorce can be difficult to deal with. Addiction can make the prospect of divorce much more challenging to overcome. You may not realize that you are marrying an addict and the addiction might take hold after you have become married. In some cases, you may be able to work things out, but in other cases, divorce might be the only option.
The Effects of Addiction on a Marriage
Addiction often comes with a series of other destructive behaviors, such as lying, theft and even abuse. Eventually, you may find that you have reached a breaking point. Also, you may be concerned about whether you are taking on the role of an enabler and whether your partner can get better when you are still in his or her life.
One of the struggles with dealing with a loved one who suffers from an addiction is that you must see your loved one behaving irrationally and you may also observe his or her life in decline. This can be very traumatic, so it's recommended that you also seek psychological help when going through this process.
Unfortunately, addictive behaviors are progressive and will typically only lead to a downward spiral if your loved one does not receive help. While you may wish to help him or her, you also have to worry about yourself. Your partner will likely not get better unless he or she receives treatment from a professional. If you find that you are an enabler, it may be better to pursue a divorce.
Receiving the Help You Need
If you are trying to decide whether you should pursue a divorce, you should seek the assistance of a divorce lawyer and of possibly a therapist. Depending on the severity of the drug problem, you may wish to restrict access that your spouse has to your child. If this is the case, you will want to start documenting all of the behavior your partner engages in that is a problem so that you may then present the evidence to a judge.
Drug Rehabilitation and Your Children
If you would like your partner to have a relationship with your children, one option is to require that he or she participate in a drug rehabilitation program before being allowed to see your children. This will give you the peace-of-mind knowing that your children will be safer and you will also feel better about your partner getting on the road to recovery.
Contact a divorce law service for more help.
Share