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Journalism of Courage
Shubhangi Atre reflected on her divorce and eventually losing her ex-husband Piyush Poorey to alcohol addiction in April this year. “No, not at all easy. 17 years are not less. I was fully invested. Sometimes, it happens that for your mental peace and well-being, and your daughter’s well-being, we have to make that decision. Because, sab try kar liya tha maine. (I had tried everything). Addiction is such a thing…I am speaking from my heart and soul that I had tried everything. But it was beyond me. In fact, my daughter only told me that it’s not healthy for us. You need to come out,” Atre said.
Adding that she developed “anxiety issues,”the Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! actor said: “I gave my 100 per cent to the relationship. I loved him. I don’t think I can love anyone else that much. I was very young when I got married. So, it was very difficult to come out of the relationship. He passed away two months ago. Now, I will remember him for all the good things.”
She also urged women to be not just be financially independent but emotionally, too. “It is what I have learnt in the last 4-5 years. Sometimes, you are so invested in a relationship that it becomes draining. I really hope no one has to go through a separation. I believe in marriage, partnership, and companionship. It’s a beautiful institution. But at the same time, if two people are not happy together, emotional independence is necessary. If you are wasted there, you can’t focus anywhere else,” Atre told Bollywood Bubble.
Taking a cue from her admission, let’s understand how difficult such a decision is and how one can cope.
Divorcing a partner after over 17 years is difficult, and when addiction is involved, the emotional toll can be too intense, concurred Dr Santosh Bangar, senior consultant psychiatrist, Gleneagles Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai.
“Living with someone struggling with substance abuse often means years of emotional neglect, financial instability, broken trust, and constant worry. Even after choosing to get a divorce, the decision is never without guilt, sadness, or fear of judgment. There’s grief not just over the relationship, but also over what could have been if addiction hadn’t taken over. Many feel torn between love, loyalty, and the need for self-preservation,” contended Dr Bangar.
The trauma of witnessing a loved one’s decline and feeling powerless to stop it can linger long after the marriage ends.
“Letting go of the hope for change and starting over can feel overwhelming and frustrating. But choosing peace, healing, and emotional safety is a courageous step,” said Dr Bangar.
The expert also advised that therapy, support groups, and time can help people rebuild their lives after such an excruciating chapter.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
