| Divorce is a very difficult choice. There are many | | | | your partner is actively abusing a drug or alcohol, he |
| factors to consider including your shared history, the | | | | or she will not be capable of being fully present in the |
| impact on living arrangements, mutual friends and | | | | relationship. You will always take a back seat to the |
| family members, finances, and of course the children | | | | procurement of the next high. On a practical level, |
| of the union. The decision is not to be taken lightly, | | | | you may be facing financial and legal consequences |
| however there are some instances where conditions | | | | as a result of your partner's behavior, i.e. DUI's, |
| are so damaging that it may be a better option than | | | | personal injury, or even charges related to a death if |
| staying and risking serious mental, emotional, or even | | | | your partner has a car accident while using. Your |
| physical harm. While everyone must make their own | | | | partner may end up losing his or her job over the |
| decision about how much to tolerate, here are 3 | | | | drinking. You may even be endangering yourself if, |
| instances where the decision to end the marriage | | | | for example, you get into a car with your partner |
| may be a better one than staying: | | | | when he or she is impaired and they have an |
| 1. There is any kind of abuse. If you are experiencing | | | | accident. Judgment is often impaired with alcohol, |
| any physical abuse, this is very serious and potentially | | | | which may lead to other decisions that do damage to |
| life threatening. It will often escalate over time, and | | | | the marriage. |
| statistically it is very dangerous for a woman at the | | | | 3. There is serial infidelity in your partner. It is possible |
| time of leaving. Please contact a domestic violence | | | | for a relationship to grow and be strengthened in the |
| shelter or a counselor who specializes in domestic | | | | aftermath of an affair - but this is only if both |
| violence issues for advice and a plan on how to | | | | partners are willing to recommit, open lines of |
| safely exit your situation. If you are experiencing | | | | communication, and establish greater accountability. If |
| emotional or psychological abuse - put downs, | | | | your partner continues to violate your trust, there is |
| controlling behavior, a feeling as if you are inferior, | | | | rapidly little foundation to build any kind of healthy |
| incompetent, or even crazy around your partner - | | | | marriage upon. In addition, you are risking your health, |
| recognize that this can have a very damaging effect | | | | perhaps your very life, by staying in a |
| over time as well. | | | | non-monogamous relationship. |
| 2. There is untreated addiction in your partner. If | | | | |