Opinion ID: 1303970
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Habitual Drunkenness

Text: Wife contends the Family Court erred in refusing to grant her a divorce on the ground of habitual drunkenness. We disagree. In an action on appeal from the Family Court, this Court has jurisdiction to find facts in accordance with its view of the preponderance of the evidence. McElveen v. McElveen, 277 S.C. 97, 283 S.E.2d 826 (1981). In order to prove habitual drunkenness, there must be a showing that the abuse of alcohol caused the breakdown of the marriage and that such abuse existed at or near the time of filing for divorce. Fisher v. Fisher, 276 S.C. 375, 278 S.E.2d 780 (1981). Here, Wife and her witnesses testified that Husband drank heavily on a daily basis. However, Husband and his witnesses testified that he seldom drank and never to excess. Since the testimony on this issue is so divergent, we adopt the findings of the Family Court on this issue as the sitting judge was in the best position to determine the credibility of the witnesses. McAlister v. Patterson, 278 S.C. 481, 299 S.E.2d 322 (1982); Collins v. Collins, 283 S.C. 526, 324 S.E.2d 82 (Ct.App.1984). Wife also contends that the Family Court Order does not comply with Rule 26(a), SCRFC [1] , in that it failed to set forth adequate findings of fact to support on this issue. We disagree. The Order succinctly states that the evidence was insufficient to prove habitual drunkenness. Family Court's holding is adequate to enable the Court to determine the basis for the ruling. Hogan v. Hogan, 278 S.C. 547, 299 S.E.2d 481 (1983).