Divorce

Substance Abuse and Family Law (3 of 4)

Published on: April 12, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

11. Can I Try the Diet You’re On?

Many drugs like crystal meth, cocain and other “uppers” stimulate energy so much that the user feels no urge to eat. Many have no appetite whatsoever. Obviously, these people are prone to rapid weight loss. Often this sign of abuse is missed because it is sometimes seen as nothing to worry about. Weight loss is typically seen as a good thing and it is often overlooked as a symptom of drug abuse.

12. Squeaky Clean
Overuse of certain hygene products can be a signal that the person is trying to hide something. Overuse of gum or breath mints might show that someone is trying to mask the smell of alcohol. Ditto for excessive use of mouthwash or hand sanitizer gel. Dryer sheets can be used to disguise the smell of smoke. A bottle of eyedrops can be a sure fire sign that someone is trying to hide reddened eyes.

13. The Bathroom Game
The bathroom is the most obvious place to find prescription drugs. Sometimes people who abuse prescription drugs are so desperate that they cannot resist the temptation to scrounge them in other people’s houses. They often do this under the pretense of visiting thh bathroom. Sometimes the person takes too long in the bathroom or finds a reason to visit each of the bathrooms in a newly visited house.

Substance Abuse and Family Law (2 of 4)

Published on: April 7, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

6. The Money Magnet
Substance abuse is an expensive habit and drugs and alcohol cost money. This, combined with impaired judgment may lead many people to get into financial trouble by not paying attention to their affairs. Any kind of unusual money behavior can tip off families to drug or alcohol abuse. Bills might not be paid or the adict might start selling possessions on eBay. Coke and speed can send people into manic spending sprees while alcohol can spur gambling binges. Also, the person may ask family members for loans or use their credit card without asking.

7. The Clear Choice
Many alcoholics prefer vodka as their drink of choice because it is clear, looks like water and does not typically have a noticable odor. A dead give away is when a person puts vodka in their thermos and mixes it with their morning coffee. Pay attention if the person goes from their normal drink of choice to vodka or if you taste their drink it and is spiked. Watch grocery receipts too, are they buying large amounts of vodka?

8. Missing in Action
If the person is missing important events like high school graduation or a birthday party, the person may be displaying signs of addiction. Becoming secretive and unreliable is a trademark of addiction. They start to forget appointments, miss important events or come in late to work or school. Maintaining and hiding an addiction takes time and effort. The person may stop by the bar on the way home, then get coffee to sober up. Sneaking around the house is also a tip-off, like sneaking into the bathroom for Visine and to brush their teeth before talking to anyone.

Substance Abuse and Family Law (1 of 4)

Published on: April 5, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

In the series that follows, Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog will explore twenty signs from an article on Yahoo.com which may indicate that a person has a substance abuse problem. Substance abuse is a very common issue in divorce and other family law matters, so we think it is useful to be aware of common signs.

1. Quality Control
Over time, a substance abuser is very likely to build a tolerance to whatever substance they are abusing. Over time, you may notice that the person fills his glass more often than others. Similarly, prescription drug users will start going through their prescription faster and faster. Prescription drug abusers will often complain that they “ran out” or that “the doctor forgot to renew my prescription.” Sometimes the person won’t remember taking all of their pills and will acuse others of stealing them.

2. Hide and Seek Around the House
Often times a substance abuser will hide bottles around the house. They may hide a six pack in the garage or a bottle of liquor hidden behind the cleaning products. These might be signs that someone’s drinking has gotten out of control. Over time, they will develop a network of hiding places. They may become particularly protective of certain rooms or areas of the house or garage, insisting that they be kept private. There may a sense that they are guarding the alcohol itself.

3. The Disappearing Act
When it comes to drug addiction, it is often that items around the house start disappearing. Like checks are missing from the checkbook, sometimes taken from the middle of the checkbook rather than the back of it. The need for money and the desire for the substance make anything fair game. They might start pawning family items like cameras and jewelry or family heirlooms.

How Birth Order Affects Your Love Life

Published on: April 1, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

According to an article by Yahoo and Match.com, your birth order can have a significant impact on your love life. If you are the oldest child, you are a take-charge type of person and this trait carries over to your love life. Oldest kids are the planners and they are going to do the big sha-bang on anniversaries and Valentine’s Day. Their biggest love challenge is being more spontaneous. They aren’t the “seize the day” types and they hate surprises. Their best match is with a youngest child.

Rather than being insecure messes (a commonly held belief), middle kids are actually stable and loyal partners. Growing up feeling like they get less attention drives them to work for every perk. They tend to be good compromisers and negotiators. They are good at giving their partner plenty of input on decisions and their days should be free of petty squables.

Men Cheat Because they Want to Play the Field (Reason #4)

Published on: March 10, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

This one will come as a complete shocker: according to this article by Match.com men cheat because they want to play the field! This seems to be a result of “the grass is always greener” kind of thinking which seems prevalent in our society. Maybe it is because of pop culter, television, or the egocentric, live for the moment type of mentality which seems so prevalent in our society.

Men Cheat Because You are Spending Almost No Time Together (Reason #3)

Published on: March 8, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

According to this article on Yahoo.com by Match.com, another reason men cheat is because you are spending almost no time together as a couple. A common example of this sort of situation is where the significant other travels for a living. If the person is physically absent from the daily life of their significant other, then it can be difficult for the couple to remain emotionally engaged with one another.

Men Cheat Because the Chemistry Just Isn’t There (Reason #2)

Published on: March 4, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

According to the article by Match.com on Yahoo.com, men cheat because the chemistry just isn’t there. They cheat because the spark is gone in the relationship. According to the article, this can have much to do with a lack of physical attraction to the other person. For example, if the wife or girlfriend (hopefully only a girlfriend!) isn’t the guy’s type, it could lead to the guy losing interest and possibly cheating.

5. Marriage is celebrity-endorsed.

Published on: February 14, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

According to Jeff Bridges, for has been married for an almost-unheard-of-in-Hollywood 33 years, “one of the things about staying married is just not getting divorced.” If that isn’t enough of an endorsement, the past year has shown us that most celebrities can’t resist tying the knot a time or two. For example, Hugh Hefner recently announced his engagement to 24-year-old Crystal Harris, who will become his third wife later this year.

4. Marriage is better for your reputation.

Published on: February 11, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

The past few years have demonstrated to all of us that people really enjoy reading about marital strife and breakdowns. Couples can air their grievances on social networking websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, and many people have chosen to vent through more revealing outlets, such as personal blogs. Recently, one Los Angeles Dodgers fan and law student decided to start a blog (www.dodgerdivorce.com) analyzing the legal issues and drama in the bitter divorce proceedings between Frank and Jamie McCourt, the Dodgers’ owners.

3. Marriage is better for your children’s health.

Published on: February 8, 2011 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just released new figures in December which compared the health of children in all types of living situations. The data demonstrates that children who live in the same home as their parents have a lower rate of disease and sickness. The ailments documented included asthma, vision problems, developmental delays, ADHD, and migraines. These ailments were far more present in the homes of children who live with only one parents, even when wealth and education were factored in.