Alcohol and substance abuse in marriage : a canonical appraisal

Abstract

This dissertation explores the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on marital life, examining and discussing how such issues affect the validity of canonical marriages within the Catholic Church. This dissertation is structured into three main chapters. The first chapter examines the different types of alcohol and drugs, following which it proceeds to examine the impacts left by the abuse of alcohol and the various drugs so identified. The second chapter addresses the legal framework, analysing specific canonical provisions relevant to marriage nullity in cases involving addiction, selected as being Canon 1095, Canon 1098, Canon 1097 and Canon 1084. The third chapter goes on to discuss the effects and impacts of abuse of alcohol and drugs on marriage both 'in fieri' and 'in facto esse', discussing various writings, and opinions, whilst also delving into canonical jurisprudence from the Roman Rota in order to assess how such cases are dealt with. This study is motivated by the growing prevalence of marital breakdowns linked to alcohol and substance abuse. It aims to provide a comprehensive analysis that highlights the interplay between alcohol and substance abuse, the effects arising from such abuse, and canonical marriage validity. By addressing these issues, the dissertation seeks to contribute to both academic discourse and the practical handling of marriage nullity cases, offering insights to improve canonical practice and pastoral care in addressing the complexities of addiction within marital contexts.