Alcohol may shorten marriages, according to study

Drug rehab centers can provide individuals with the resource they need to quit their addiction to alcohol. However, alcoholism typically puts a strain on relationships before people seek help for the problem. In instances of marriages, it can even result in divorce.

A new study published in the Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research journal looked at approximately 5,000 Australian twins to determine the long-term effects of alcohol on their relationships, according to Health Day News. Research began in the 1980s, comparing participants' drinking habits to their marriage spans over time. Experts found that alcohol appeared to delay marriage and end relationships early. Genetics were also found to play a role in these associations in both women and men.

Lead author Mary Waldron said that alcohol seemed to be a large factor in the success of relationships between young adults. As drinking became more prevalent in some subjects, marriages suffered in adulthood. Researchers noted that living with a person who consumes liquor on a frequent basis can be just as stressful as coping with a diagnosed alcoholic.

Nearly 52 percent of Americans age 18 or older were regular drinkers in 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.