People often assume that divorce is simply a decision that two people make to end their marriage. However, in some cases, this is far from the truth. For instance, let’s consider what happens when alcoholism leads to divorce.
Is that a choice?
It’s a disease
First and foremost, it has to be understood that alcoholism is a disease. If your spouse struggles with it, they may not even want to drink. They don’t want to be addicted. But they can’t change the fact that they suffer from this disease. Chronic use has a major impact on the brain. Without medical attention, they may feel that their usage level is out of their hands.
Secondly, you may still love your spouse. You don’t want to be married to someone who struggles with alcoholism. That wasn’t your dream, and you may not even feel like this is the person whom you married. The disease has changed them.
In a case like this, are either of you really making the choice to get divorced? Your spouse is at the mercy of the disease. You know that you have to do what it takes to keep you and your children safe. You wish it wasn’t this way, but you can’t just deny the reality of the situation.
A complex divorce
What this shows is that divorce is vastly more complex than the assumptions people make about it. Addiction can also make the process more complicated, especially when considering child custody rights. Make sure you are well aware of your legal options.