Alcohol problems are associated with 30% of divorce petitions.

Often marital rows occur when intoxicated - drinkers frequently querulous and argumentative.

May be rows when in withdrawal - often irritable, "ratty" and short-tempered.

The sex life of heavy drinkers is often poor (may be non-existent).

Heavy drinkers frequently have a poor social life - often limited to visiting local pubs.

The heavy drinker may be less attractive to his / her partner due to self-neglect, deteriorating health and lack of interest in appearance (beer belly, blood-shot eyes, puffy face, jaundice, ascites, etc.).

The increasing salience of drinking results in the drinker making less effort in his / her relationship.

Alcohol use may lead to sexual indiscretions when intoxicated (& the risk of sexually transmitted diseases).

Heavy drinking may result in separation as the partner feels unable to cope - "at end of my tether". Reconciliations, however, appear to be common.

Divorces of heavy drinkers are often acrimonious & there may be custody battles, access disputes, etc.

Marital breakdown may result in adverse financial implications - eg. moving house, sale of furniture, etc. This may result in an exacerbation of drinking - as alcohol is used to cope with the resultant stress.