3 Addictions That May Derail Your Marriage | Allan Brandon Tise PLLC, Attorney at Law
November 15, 2021
When you hear of divorce, one of the first things that often comes to mind is infidelity. Infidelity is defined as "the act of being unfaithful to a spouse or other sexual partner." Unfortunately, there are many ways a person can be unfaithful.
Addictions are one of these ways. When someone is addicted, they are usually having an emotional affair with the things they are addicted to. They are willing to place their need to engage in these activities ahead of their marriage. Unfortunately, many marriages do not survive. Here are a few addictions your marriage may be facing.
1. Alcohol
The most commonly addictive substance in the U.S. is alcohol. An estimated 14.1 million people suffer from some type of alcohol addiction or abuse. Several million more engage in drinking behaviors that could become problematic.
Identifying and detecting alcoholism can be difficult. The addict is usually not forthcoming about their addiction. They will very often underestimate or attempt to rationalize the amount they are drinking.
Marriages where one spouse is an alcoholic experience a 50 percent divorce rate compared to an approximate 30 percent rate among couples where alcoholism is not an issue. The increased divorce rate is because of the many problems alcoholism presents. These include:
An alcoholic may also hide their drinking from others by isolating themselves and neglecting responsibilities.
2. Gaming
Gaming is one of the newest addictions to rear its ugly head in marriages. This addiction allows people to escape the stresses of their daily lives by spending their time immersed in virtual worlds.
Unfortunately, while they are immersed in their virtual worlds, they often ignore the people who live in the house with them. One study reported that 75 percent of gamers' spouses stated they would like their spouses to put more time in their marriage and less time in their games. Everyone playing video games does not have an addiction. A gaming addict is a person who:
Research has shown it is not the actual time spent gaming that is the problem. The problem is the frustration and arguments that result when the non-gaming spouse begins to complain about the lack of engagement the gaming spouse offers.
3. Social Media
There are approximately 2.77 billion users of social media throughout the world. Unfortunately, of these, an estimated 210 million people suffer from internet and social media addictions. The average person spends almost 2 hours per day using social media, although teens can spend up to 9 hours per day.
Due to social media and the internet, people are always connected and have unprecedented access to the world. 71 percent of Americans sleep with their device nearby. Social media addictions can cause a person to spend more time online than they do with their spouse. This inattentiveness can cause jealousy and feelings of inadequacy.
Oversharing about marital problems on social media can also create wider rifts. The rifts are often due to unsolicited input and opinions from family and friends.
If your marriage has been damaged beyond the point of repair by one or more addictions, call Allan Brandon Tise PLLC , Attorney at Law. We can help you understand your legal rights, file your divorce, and get the settlement you deserve. Give us a call today to schedule a video conference, phone, or in-office consultation.
Addictions are one of these ways. When someone is addicted, they are usually having an emotional affair with the things they are addicted to. They are willing to place their need to engage in these activities ahead of their marriage. Unfortunately, many marriages do not survive. Here are a few addictions your marriage may be facing.
1. Alcohol
The most commonly addictive substance in the U.S. is alcohol. An estimated 14.1 million people suffer from some type of alcohol addiction or abuse. Several million more engage in drinking behaviors that could become problematic.
Identifying and detecting alcoholism can be difficult. The addict is usually not forthcoming about their addiction. They will very often underestimate or attempt to rationalize the amount they are drinking.
Marriages where one spouse is an alcoholic experience a 50 percent divorce rate compared to an approximate 30 percent rate among couples where alcoholism is not an issue. The increased divorce rate is because of the many problems alcoholism presents. These include:
- Decreased positive communication
- Decreased family participation
- Increased arguments
- Increased financial issues
- Increased acts of infidelity
- Increased acts of violence and more
An alcoholic may also hide their drinking from others by isolating themselves and neglecting responsibilities.
2. Gaming
Gaming is one of the newest addictions to rear its ugly head in marriages. This addiction allows people to escape the stresses of their daily lives by spending their time immersed in virtual worlds.
Unfortunately, while they are immersed in their virtual worlds, they often ignore the people who live in the house with them. One study reported that 75 percent of gamers' spouses stated they would like their spouses to put more time in their marriage and less time in their games. Everyone playing video games does not have an addiction. A gaming addict is a person who:
- Would rather game than engage with you, friends, or their job
- Sacrifices meals, sleep, sex, socialization, and conversations
- Uses bill money to buy games and gaming supplies
- Refuses to reduce their gaming time
- Considers strangers they play with closer than family and friends
Research has shown it is not the actual time spent gaming that is the problem. The problem is the frustration and arguments that result when the non-gaming spouse begins to complain about the lack of engagement the gaming spouse offers.
3. Social Media
There are approximately 2.77 billion users of social media throughout the world. Unfortunately, of these, an estimated 210 million people suffer from internet and social media addictions. The average person spends almost 2 hours per day using social media, although teens can spend up to 9 hours per day.
Due to social media and the internet, people are always connected and have unprecedented access to the world. 71 percent of Americans sleep with their device nearby. Social media addictions can cause a person to spend more time online than they do with their spouse. This inattentiveness can cause jealousy and feelings of inadequacy.
Oversharing about marital problems on social media can also create wider rifts. The rifts are often due to unsolicited input and opinions from family and friends.
If your marriage has been damaged beyond the point of repair by one or more addictions, call Allan Brandon Tise PLLC , Attorney at Law. We can help you understand your legal rights, file your divorce, and get the settlement you deserve. Give us a call today to schedule a video conference, phone, or in-office consultation.
Allan Brandon Tise, PLLC, offers expert child custody law services in Wilmington, NC. Protect your parental rights today; call us at (910) 251-9614.
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