Drinking and Divorce

Did you know that men who divorce tend to drink more, while women who are separated from their husbands often drink less? Rather than hit the bottle, women tend to use friends and food to get through hard times. On the other hand, men have a tendency to socialize over alcoholic drinks and use these beverages to help them cope with a divorce.

Interestingly enough, men in marriage tend to sober up, while women that are married will drink more frequently. Researchers say that that is because men want to be a good example to their families by not consuming too much alcohol. Women tend to respond to encouragement, so when a husband tells his wife to have a drink with him she usually complies. In fact, married women are more likely to drink than single women, widowed women, or divorced women.

The head researcher on this study says that in marriage, couples converge. The man stops drinking as much due to his wife’s influence, while the wife starts drinking due to her husband’s influence. All in all, it usually allows for a healthy balance. For men, the danger can come after a divorce, when the tendency to hit the bottle can be almost overwhelming. Women may internalize their hurt through depression, while men will manifest their pain in alcohol abuse. While this study doesn’t dictate the tendencies of every individual, it does say a lot about the common actions of most men and women in marriages or divorcing today.

It’s important to keep in mind that substance abuse can become a problem when relating to child custody. While drinking in moderation probably won’t affect your agreement, If you are preparing to file for divorce, a great family attorney can be there to help you legally and comfort you as you embark on this potentially-emotional journey. With a supportive and active lawyer on your side, you will be able to sort things out in court in no time, and may the best decision for your personal life.