The Quiet Addiction: When a Divorce Attorney may be your Ace in the Hole

 Posted on February 19, 2014 in Divorce

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the divorce rate is improving slightly. Only 40 percent of all today’s American couples will seek a divorce attorney rather than 50 percent in the 1980s.

So why is so difficult for Americans to hold it together? It could be one of these five reasons:

1. Friend or family issues;
2. Sexual dissatisfaction;
3. Addiction problems;
4. Financial woes;
5. The breakdown of communication.

Compulsive gambling can be as devastating to a marriage as alcoholism or infidelity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines compulsive gambling as an impulse control disorder. For any family dealing with a family member afflicted by any addiction, daily life can be a struggle. The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that divorce rates among compulsive gamblers are more than double those who only gamble on occasion. If you suspect that your spouse is battling a gambling addiction, review these warning signs and either suggest that your loved one reach out for professional assistance or contact an experienced divorce attorney: Employment Issues Most pathological gamblers experience problems not only maintaining a job, but with theft on the job. Does your spouse experience lulls in full-time, sustainable employment? Have there been issues of work-related theft or repayment of loans to co-workers? White-Collar Crime More than half of proclaimed professional gamblers have admitted to forgery, identity theft, tax evasion and fraud. If you and your spouse are dealing with an IRS audit or fielding general questions from a local authority, this may be a tip as to the severity of the problem. Financial Folly Does your spouse mention bankruptcy as a means to solve financial problems? Have you started hiding the checkbook, credit cards or cash? Depression Statistically three-fourths of all problem gamblers suffer from depression. Have you noticed a change in your spouse's mood? Have you spent time worrying about the mental health of your spouse? Do he or she only express happiness when they had a good day at the track? Domestic Violence As with all marriages, living with an addiction can be devastating. Verbal and physical abuse often increases by 50 percent in a home where gambling is a family secret. Have you noticed an increase in physical or verbal abuse from your spouse? Family Facts The impact on your kids can also be damaging. Have you noticed a change in how your spouse relates to them?Is he or she have a short-fuse or have occasional bursts of anger? Take note, children influenced by a person addicted to gambling may also roll the dice later in life. Suicide If you think suicide is a possibility, it may be time to reach out for professional help. The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that 20 percent of problem gamblers have attempted suicide. Divorce Addiction can take it toll on your marriage. If you feel that your spouse would be open to seeking professional help, discuss it openly, bring the family secret to the forefront and fight. If you're considering divorce, contacting an experienced family law attorney may be your best bet. You have been dealt a difficult hand. By placing a call to A. Traub & Associates at 630-426-0196 our dedicated team of experienced divorce attorneys will listen to your issues, keep you informed and work diligently to bring the matter to as swift a resolution as possible. We are here to help you beat the odds.