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New Study Connects Shortened Marriages And Alcoholism

For years, researchers have consistently linked alcoholism and alcohol dependence with divorce. Now a new study has found that men and women with alcohol dependence wait until later in life to marry and also get divorced more often and sooner than those who do not struggle with substance abuse.

The study followed about 5,000 twins born between 1940 and 1964 through their first marriage. The results found that both men and women who were alcoholics had much shorter marriages than those who were not, and that those with a history of alcohol dependence in their families also had shorter marriages that ended in separation and divorce. Not only did couples with a history of alcohol dependence separate earlier, they also got married later than those without alcohol consumption issues. Both of these factors lead to significantly abbreviated marriages for alcoholics.

While the researchers focused on correlation rather than causation, many marriage experts say that alcoholism and alcohol dependence can lead to job loss, financial stresses, increased rates of domestic violence, and medical issues – all enormous marriage stressors that can lead to divorce. In addition, alcoholics often engage in destructive and disruptive behavior that can end relationships, such as deception, stealing, secrecy, emotional withdrawal, and isolation. Finally, alcohol use can also be a red flag of other psychological problems or past trauma that can add stress to marriage, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or sexual abuse.

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