Divorce can be a stressful and difficult situation to deal with, the problem can become even tougher if you throw substance abuse and addiction into the mix.
If you or a partner has a substance abuse issue related to drug or alcohol, it may be the catalyst of the problem and the cause of the divorce. In these cases, it is best to know what to do to help guide yourself and your partner through the situation and get help for whoever needs it.
Addiction is a serious mental health disorder that can lead to a number of life-threatening effects. If not taken seriously, addiction to drugs or alcohol has a serious chance of resulting in the death of your or your loved one. For those with a substance abuse issue, it is best to seek the help of a counselor or treatment center to help overcome these issues.
Dealing With Divorce Caused by Addiction
Substance abuse is something that can come between partners and even lead to divorce. A partner who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause many issues including impaired judgment, problematic spending, neglect, and domestic violence or child abuse in some cases.
Addiction is a relationship can erode the trust and foundation that the relationship is built on, which is one of the reasons it can lead to divorce.
If you or a loved one has an issue with drugs or alcohol and is going through a divorce, there are a number of things that need to be taken into consideration.
In some states, addiction to substances can actually affect divorce proceedings and can influence the outcomes. For example, in Washington, if one parent has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it can cause major changes in the child custody arrangement. In some cases, it can lead to other challenges and can affect property division, spousal support, and more. Other states have similar laws in place, but these things are generally left up to the court.
The best way to navigate divorce in a smooth and healthy way is to emphasize cooperation and communication. It may be hard to talk with your partner during this time, especially if they are using drugs or alcohol, however, try to remember that committing to communication will help make the process go by more swiftly.
It should be noted that if your loved one is struggling with substance abuse issues during this time, you should look to get them the help they need. While there may be some animosity between you and your soon-to-be ex-partner, they still deserve to get help. It may be difficult to reach out and offer a helping hand, especially given the circumstances, but try to remember that this is someone you had, at least previously, cared deeply about. And, maybe, if they are able to get their substance abuse issue under control, they will go through a positive transformation and look like their old self once again.
Overall, there are several things that need to be taken into account when filing for a divorce with an addiction involved. Along with these legal issues, there are also personal problems that you or a loved one may deal with.
One of the biggest issues with dealing with a divorce is stress and mental and emotional issues that accompany the situation. However, there are many ways that you can overcome these feelings that you are dealing with without the use of substances.
Overcoming Stress
It is common for many to use substances such as drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism to help deal with whatever stresses or problems that they are dealing with. However, this is an unhealthy way to deal with these issues. If you are going through a stressful situation like a divorce, turning to the bottle will only make the situation worse and likely exacerbate your problems.
If you are using or wanting to use substances to help deal with the pain or stress of a divorce or separation, it is best to take a step back and look at healthier coping strategies.
There are several healthy coping mechanisms to help those dealing with divorce or other stress-related problems. One of the best ways to overcome stress would be to start exercising. Going to the gym or running are two great ways to relieve stress while improving your overall health.
Another way that you can deal with stresses that you may be facing would be to talk about it with someone. You can reach out to your friends or family to discuss any issues that you may be facing. If you are looking to get help from an expert, you can always look for a counselor or psychologist to talk with. Opening up and discussing the issues that you may be dealing with is a great way to work through and let go of these problems
Relapse
Unfortunately, for those in recovery divorce can be a trigger that leads to relapse. In fact, there have been studies that have shown that stressful life events, such as divorce or separation put alcohol-dependent adults at an increased risk of relapse. If you or a loved one in recovery is going through a divorce or separation, reach out to them and offer to meet with them. Simple gestures like this can give a loved one the strength that they need to overcome whatever cravings or urges they are facing.
Overall, dealing with a divorce can be a hard thing to overcome, it is best to seek the help of professionals to help with not only the divorce proceedings but the substance abuse issues as well.
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