Study shows the Dangers of Incompatible Drinking

 Posted on March 03, 2013 in Family Law

Certain marriages have their beginning with a drink at a bar and casual conversation.  Dates begin and end sometimes with a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage.  As people grow together in a marriage, sometimes one spouse decides to drink a lot more than the other.  Now a study has linked incompatible drinking as a contributing factor of divorce.

A group of researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health collected data from over 200,000 Norwegian couples.  They reviewed the affects on marriage when one spouse drank more than the other spouse.

They found that spouses who drink around the same amount of alcohol were less likely to become divorced.  The study also showed that the likelihood of divorce is even greater if the wife is the one who is the heavy drinker.  Health director Ellinor F. Major, said that “The risk of divorce is estimated to be tripled when the husband’s level of drinking is low and the wife’s drinking is heavy, compared with couples where both drinking lightly.”

The researchers also attempted to give reasons why this would be the case.  One guess was that women are more affected by the consumption of alcohol.  Another was that women are traditionally more involved in the general family life like raising the children and taking care of the house, so the heavy drinking of a wife could cause more problems.

Whatever the cause of the breakdown of your marriage, it is necessary to do what you can to fix it.  Divorce is an option when the relationship no longer resembles the one you had.  There are many things that need to be settled to allow you move on with your life.  Contact an experienced divorce attorney in DuPage County who can be your advocate during your divorce.