Misuse of drugs can lead to high tolerance, resulting in substance abuse and addiction. Plenty of adverse effects follow addiction, one being a loss of relationships. In addition, there is a distinctive link between addiction and divorce. Suppose a husband or wife abuses a drug. The financial strain, risky behavior, and lying will often cause major marital issues. Keep reading to learn more about the effects of drugs and divorce.
Drug Addiction and Marriage
The longer a spouse abuses drugs, the quality of marriage depletes over time. Reports show that couples or a partner who was using drugs, particularly illicit drugs, before marriage continued to use during and after the transition into marriage.1 Marital satisfaction was also associated with the use of drugs for a time until abuse caused behavioral and financial shifts in the relationship.
In these cases, a spouse develops unhealthy coping mechanisms by turning to drugs instead of managing responsibilities or chaos more healthily. Therefore, the spouse or the children tend to add to their to-do lists to compensate for the neglect. During these times, the user may inflict frightening experiences on their family members like acts of violence, poverty, or aggressive mood swings.
If the marriage was struggling prior to substance abuse, a poor relationship often entices a husband or wife to turn to alcohol or other drugs. In addition, reasons such as sexual dysfunction, high stress, or other unhealthy habits may cause a poor relationship and lead to the misuse of drugs.
The Process of Divorcing an Addict
Before a divorce, couples are advised to seek support groups for families of addicts. A professional may recommend specific therapy methods or temporarily separate the spouse or children from the addict. If these options are not successful or if an addict is physically abusing his or her spouse or children, then the process of divorce begins.
Divorce due to addiction is difficult and produces numerous emotional and mental strains. In fact, children of parents who divorce are more likely to misuse alcohol and other drugs or develop mental health problems later in life. If you are the husband or wife divorcing your spouse due to addiction, it’s essential that you are able to recognize the signs of addiction to prevent long-term health complications in your children.
Addiction and divorce are both unfortunate happenings, but here are some steps you can take to help during the challenging times:
- Consider child custody
- Establish a support system
- Begin planning new housing arrangements
- Find a well-reviewed family or divorce lawyer
- Ensure the protection of your finances and assets
- Learn about the legal protections and plan a safe exit strategy
Addiction may come in more forms than abusing drugs. A spouse could develop a gambling, sex, or shopping addiction, which can lead to mental health problems and serious financial struggles. Again, before divorce, try and resolve the dilemma with the help of professional medical attention, starting with an intervention.
Drug Addiction and Divorce Help at Banyan Detox Stuart
The decline in drug rates after sobriety gives hope to the medical team at Banyan Treatment Centers Stuart. We understand many difficulties can follow addiction and divorce, which is why we offer unique programs like cognitive behavioral therapy, brief-solution focused therapy, and even art therapy to patients undergoing struggles. We provide a safe space for expression during the treatment process and while learning new skills to avoid drug use and prevent relapse.
If you or your spouse are battling addiction, speak to a specialist at Banyan Stuart by calling 888-280-4763 today. Ask about our medically monitored detox program to get started!
Related Readings:
Signs of a High Functioning Drug Addict
Source: NIH - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2259284/
