recommendation for solicitor with expertise of addiction

[MarketingCam]

Does anyone have any personal recommendations for a solicitor with experience of navigating a separation when one of the partners has an addiction/alcohol use disorder?
Thanks

That depends if they are using now and if he is abusive. I was an alcoholic and I won my kids as their dad was physically abusive. Having problems does not always mean the non alcoholic parent will not get them as using an addiction against someone can be looked on unfavourably. If your husband is following a programme then there is no problem sharing custody will most likely be granted.

Thanks for answering.
So he is using now, not physically abusive (although aggressive) and has withdrawn from a programme. I want to understand what my options are as I feel that the marriage is damaged - maybe beyond repair and so a separation may be inevitable. There are times recently where we have had to leave the house overnight and I hoped someone might have some advice on how to go about navigating this. Hope that gives some more context!

Are there any children involved?

If he behaves aggressively then you can apply for an occupation order to have him removed from the marital home. The threshold for this is relatively high (as it should be when somebody is being excluded from their home) so you need to document any incidents of threatening and frightening behaviour and report to the police.

What income level / level of marital assets are we talking about here? The best solicitors and barristers are very expensive, so if you’ve only average incomes and few assets to divide, it won’t be cost effective for you.

Sometimes people need to understand addictions, have you attended any couples counselling or the addiction for families support (they arevgreat) Talking things out together with a counsellor will help you both understand what is going on in eachothers heads and maybe get some answers. There was love there to have children maybe getting extra help will help get to bottom of issues. If not at least you can tell your kids you tried everything. I was a drinker but I was also getting beaten and blamed myself on it, try everything and your conscience will be clear you done everything x

The non addicted partner doesn't have to worry about their conscious being clear.
The onus is on the addict to seek treatment and stick to it.

Sharing a child with an addict can be hell on earth - and I speak from experience.

Unfair on the child and the other parent who is left to pick up the slack and the emotional rollercoaster that never stops.

So me as an ex drinker cause hell on earth. It was hell on earth being beaten. Everyone is different, some recover some don't. You shouldn't tar every addict with the same brush there's always a reason BEHIND the addiction

"If not at least you can tell your kids you tried everything. I was a drinker but I was also getting beaten and blamed myself on it, try everything and your conscience will be clear you done everything x"

This bit is what I was referring to.

You don't put the responsibility on the other parent to try everything to fix the addict so they can have a clear conscience.
That's wrong. It's completely on the addict to sort themselves out and not use substances as a coping mechanism.

What you went through sounds awful and I'm sorry to hear you were beaten but your children must have suffered from both your abusive ex and your alcoholism.

@MarketingCam How are you getting on? I’ve had an awful time trying to divorce my husband who is in the worst addiction with alcohol and cocaine along with bipolar. I applied for divorce because of the drugs and inability to kick them, but then it got worst because I was divorcing him. NHS have been unable to help and he’s currently in deep denial so won’t let me help.

the only plus is he’s so desperate for money we managed to agree a fair settlement and it was submitted last week. It’s been awful- trying to negotiate with someone like this - I’ve tried very hard to get him help and keep the peace whilst pushing timescales on.

it is possible - and for me the only way forward to protect my daughter and our finances. I’m currently trying to work out how I can stop him ruining his life in the next four weeks before he gets his settlement and blows it. Addiction is the worst.

@AlwaysThinkingForwards
I can absolutely appreciate your pain. I'm still building up my courage to do something. Alcohol and depression here - and it gets much worse when I am not around (e.g if I go away for work etc), so I have no doubt my journey will be the same. We can have 2 or 3 blissful alcohol-free months when things genuinely seem good and then a massive slide and life becomes very quickly awful again.
I'm learning how to detach. And I'm making myself independent and I have sought advice. My other half does not want to separate or leave the house or try an program. It's hard to watch someone you love battle with this. Especially complicated when you have kids. My experience with the NHS is that unless they're asking for help (and even then it's hard to get), they won't help. So when someone is in denial, it's impossible.
Sounds like you have more experience than me - but if you ever want to chat DM me. It's a lonely road. xx

It all depends on what you want and what your husband is like. Eg if you believe he can be helped and the root of the depression can be fixed and there is hope, but the issue is he's not seeking help...it may be filing for divorce is what pushes him to action. There is this 20 week 'cooling off' period....you can always cancel later.

But if he's been this way of years (and maybe you didn't realise, like me), then perhaps there is no changing him - in which case start progressing as it will take a long time anyway.

I agree with what you said about the NHS. Initially my husband was depressed and on alcohol - they expected him to go to CGL in another time. He was depressed and not able to get out of bed (unless it was to buy alcohol) and therefore there was no way he could engage. I've raised complaints to PALs etc. NHS are supposed to deal with dual issues but failed.

Will send a DM!

If your husband won't even accept he has a problem, there is no hope. How old are your children? If they are of an age to have a say in contact, it's much easier to leave - mine wanted full no contact and he didn't try to change that because he realised he would have to show change for them to want to see him.