Is your marriage being affected by alcohol? Does alcohol consumption have an influence on the likelihood of you staying married or getting divorced?
If you are a married man who drinks alcohol, you might have wondered how your drinking habits affect your marriage and your chances of getting divorced. You might have heard some alarming statistics about the relationship between alcohol and divorce, and how it affects men. You might have also experienced some problems in your marriage because of your drinking, such as arguments, conflicts, resentment, or loss of trust. In this blog post, I will try to answer some of the common questions and concerns that men have about alcohol and divorce, and provide some tips and resources to help you prevent or cope with divorce and keep your marriage strong.
How common is alcohol-related divorce?
According to the National Institute of Health, alcoholism and divorce statistics indicate that one liter more of alcohol consumption per capita can increase divorce rates by as much as 20%. Alcohol use is one of the leading reasons couples file for divorce in the United States. According to a survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 50% of divorced couples cite alcohol abuse as a factor leading to their divorce. Couples where only one spouse drinks heavily have a higher divorce rate (5.8%) than those where both spouses consume alcohol (1.9%). Heavy drinkers have a 20% higher risk of divorce compared to the general population.
Why does alcohol cause divorce?
Alcohol can cause divorce in many ways, depending on the amount, frequency, and pattern of drinking, and the personality, behavior, and reaction of the drinker and the spouse. Some of the common ways that alcohol can cause divorce are:
• Alcohol can impair the judgment, memory, and decision-making of the drinker, leading to irresponsible, irrational, or risky actions, such as lying, cheating, gambling, spending, or driving under the influence.
• Alcohol can alter the mood, emotions, and personality of the drinker, leading to aggression, violence, abuse, or neglect towards the spouse or the children, or withdrawal, depression, or isolation from the family and friends.
• Alcohol can affect the health, well-being, and appearance of the drinker, leading to physical, mental, or sexual problems, such as liver disease, heart disease, cancer, anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction, or infertility.
• Alcohol can interfere with the communication, intimacy, and compatibility of the couple, leading to misunderstandings, arguments, conflicts, resentment, or loss of trust, love, and respect.
• Alcohol can create financial, legal, or social problems for the family, such as debt, bankruptcy, unemployment, arrest, or stigma, which can add more stress and strain to the marriage.
How can I prevent or cope with alcohol-related divorce?
If you are a married man who drinks alcohol, and you want to prevent or cope with alcohol-related divorce, here are some tips that might help you:
• Recognize and admit that you have a problem with alcohol, and that it is affecting your marriage and your life. Don’t deny, minimize, or rationalize your drinking, or blame your spouse or others for your problems. Be honest and accountable for your actions and their consequences.
• Seek help and support for your alcohol problem, and follow a treatment plan that suits your needs and goals. You can consult your doctor, therapist, counselor, or addiction specialist, or join a support group or a recovery program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. You can also use online tools and resources, such as Bing, to find more information and help on this topic.
• Involve your spouse in your recovery process, and ask for their help, understanding, and forgiveness. Listen to their feelings, thoughts, needs, and concerns, and try to understand their perspective and experience. Express your appreciation, gratitude, and love for them, and show them your commitment and progress. Seek help from a professional counselor or a mediator if you need it.
• Work on your marriage and your relationship with your spouse, and try to rebuild the trust, love, and respect that you may have lost because of your drinking. Communicate with your spouse, and share your feelings, thoughts, needs, and concerns. Support your spouse, and offer your help, comfort, and encouragement. Balance your roles, and make time for your spouse and your children. Do things that you enjoy together, and have fun, laugh, and relax. Maintain your intimacy and romance.
• Adapt to change, and be flexible and open to change. Accept that your marriage and your life are not what you expected or planned, and that you may have to face some challenges and difficulties because of your drinking and your divorce. Adjust your expectations and goals to fit your reality, and focus on the positive aspects of your situation. Embrace the uniqueness and potential of your marriage and your life, and learn from your challenges and grow from your experiences.
Remember that you are not alone in this journey. You have your spouse, your children, and your support system to help you along the way. You also have Bing to help you find more information and resources on this topic. Just type “alcohol and divorce” in the search box and see what you can find. I hope this blog post helps you understand how alcohol can ruin your marriage and what you can do about it. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below.
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https://www.aspenridgerecoverycenters.com/alcoholism-and-divorce
