Spousal Drugging Abuse: Domestic abuse doesn’t always look the way people expect. While many think of physical violence or verbal threats, some survivors experience abuse that is much harder to detect — but just as harmful.
Chemical control is a form of abuse in which a partner uses substances — such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or even alcohol — to manipulate, dominate, or incapacitate the other person. It can happen in the privacy of a home, often without immediate outward signs. But the emotional, psychological, and physical effects can be devastating.
What Chemical Control Might Look Like
Let’s consider a scenario:
Emily began noticing that she felt dizzy or disoriented after eating meals her husband prepared. At first, she assumed it was stress or fatigue. But the episodes grew more frequent. She began forgetting conversations, losing track of time, and experiencing nausea after taking medication her husband handed her. When she tried to bring up her concerns, he dismissed them — or accused her of being paranoid. Over time, Emily lost her confidence, felt increasingly isolated, and began to question her own memory.
This kind of pattern isn’t just troubling — it may be a form of domestic violence.
Chemical control can include:
- Spiking a partner’s food or drink with drugs or alcohol without their consent
- Withholding essential medications (like insulin or antidepressants)
- Giving incorrect doses of prescribed medications
- Drugging a partner to make them more compliant, incapacitated, or sexually vulnerable
- Using medication as a tool to create dependency or confusion
It may also be combined with gaslighting, where the abusive partner manipulates the victim into doubting their own experiences or memory.
Is Chemical Control Recognized Under New Jersey Law?
Yes. New Jersey law is increasingly recognizing coercive control — a pattern of behavior that restricts a person’s freedom or autonomy — as a form of domestic violence.
Chemical control falls within this framework. In 2024, the law was updated to require courts to consider evidence of coercive control when determining whether to issue a restraining order. That means if your partner is drugging you, withholding your medication, or otherwise using substances to control you, it may qualify as grounds for legal protection.
Depending on the circumstances, chemical control could also support a marital tort claim, which may allow you to pursue compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages as part of your divorce.
We explain this in more detail in our upcoming legal analysis:
Chemical Control as a Form of Domestic Violence and Marital Tort
You Are Not Overreacting
If something feels wrong, it’s worth paying attention to.
People experiencing chemical control often feel confused, scared, and unsure if what’s happening to them is “real.” Abusive partners may intentionally create this confusion to avoid being held accountable.
You deserve to feel safe, clear-headed, and in control of your body. If your spouse or partner is manipulating you with substances, it is not your fault — and you are not alone.
How We Help
At Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, our attorneys understand the complexities of domestic abuse — including newer, less visible forms like chemical control. We can:
- Help you document what’s happening
- Explain your legal options under New Jersey’s domestic violence and family law statutes
- Assist you in securing protective orders or emergency relief
- Guide you through next steps in divorce, custody, or support proceedings
Your safety is our first priority. We offer compassionate, confidential guidance — and swift legal action when needed.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You can also contact the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233).
Get Help Today
If you are experiencing spousal drugging abuse, abuse through medication manipulation, or any other form of coercive control, know that you are not alone. You deserve safety, clarity, and peace of mind. Our attorneys provide confidential guidance and can help you understand your rights and options under New Jersey law. We’re here to listen, and we’re here to protect.
When you’re ready, Request Your Consultation Today.
Get Help Today: 888-888-0919
Is Your Spouse Secretly Drugging You? Understanding Spousal Drugging Abuse & Chemical Control
TL;DR: Spousal drugging abuse — sometimes called “chemical control” — is when a partner uses drugs, alcohol, or medication to manipulate, harm, or control you. This is recognized under New Jersey’s domestic violence laws as a serious form of abuse.
If you believe this is happening to you, there are legal protections available, including restraining orders and other remedies. Your safety comes first.
In an emergency, call 911. For confidential legal guidance, Request A Consultation Today.
Spousal Drugging Abuse: Domestic abuse doesn’t always look the way people expect. While many think of physical violence or verbal threats, some survivors experience abuse that is much harder to detect — but just as harmful.
Chemical control is a form of abuse in which a partner uses substances — such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or even alcohol — to manipulate, dominate, or incapacitate the other person. It can happen in the privacy of a home, often without immediate outward signs. But the emotional, psychological, and physical effects can be devastating.
What Chemical Control Might Look Like
Let’s consider a scenario:
This kind of pattern isn’t just troubling — it may be a form of domestic violence.
Chemical control can include:
It may also be combined with gaslighting, where the abusive partner manipulates the victim into doubting their own experiences or memory.
Is Chemical Control Recognized Under New Jersey Law?
Yes. New Jersey law is increasingly recognizing coercive control — a pattern of behavior that restricts a person’s freedom or autonomy — as a form of domestic violence.
Chemical control falls within this framework. In 2024, the law was updated to require courts to consider evidence of coercive control when determining whether to issue a restraining order. That means if your partner is drugging you, withholding your medication, or otherwise using substances to control you, it may qualify as grounds for legal protection.
Depending on the circumstances, chemical control could also support a marital tort claim, which may allow you to pursue compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages as part of your divorce.
We explain this in more detail in our upcoming legal analysis:
Chemical Control as a Form of Domestic Violence and Marital Tort
You Are Not Overreacting
If something feels wrong, it’s worth paying attention to.
People experiencing chemical control often feel confused, scared, and unsure if what’s happening to them is “real.” Abusive partners may intentionally create this confusion to avoid being held accountable.
You deserve to feel safe, clear-headed, and in control of your body. If your spouse or partner is manipulating you with substances, it is not your fault — and you are not alone.
How We Help
At Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, our attorneys understand the complexities of domestic abuse — including newer, less visible forms like chemical control. We can:
Your safety is our first priority. We offer compassionate, confidential guidance — and swift legal action when needed.
Get Help Today
If you are experiencing spousal drugging abuse, abuse through medication manipulation, or any other form of coercive control, know that you are not alone. You deserve safety, clarity, and peace of mind. Our attorneys provide confidential guidance and can help you understand your rights and options under New Jersey law. We’re here to listen, and we’re here to protect.
When you’re ready, Request Your Consultation Today.
Get Help Today: 888-888-0919
Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group Named 2025 Family & Matrimonial Law Firm of the Year in New Jersey
We are delighted to share that Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group has been named Family and Matrimonial Law Firm of the Year in New Jersey for 2025 by The Lawyer Network.*
This recognition highlights our team’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding the rights, children, and futures of families across New Jersey. It is a testament to the hard work and care our attorneys bring to every client and every case.
A Commitment to Excellence in Family Law
At Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, our sole focus is family law. Whether supporting a client through a complex divorce, child custody battle, or domestic violence matter, we know how high the stakes are. That’s why we work tirelessly to provide trusted legal guidance and compassionate support at every step.
Our team includes Certified Matrimonial Law Attorneys, a distinction granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court to attorneys who demonstrate the highest levels of experience and knowledge in family law. This enhanced certification held by all of our partners and increasing numbers of our attorneys reflects the caliber of legal counsel we strive to deliver every day.
Trusted by New Jersey Families
We understand how difficult family law matters can be — emotionally, legally, and financially. Our clients come to us during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. We see it as our responsibility and privilege to offer protection, practical solutions, and the path forward.
From the very first consultation, we focus on listening, educating, and crafting legal strategies tailored to each client’s goals and circumstances. Because we practice only family law, we bring a depth of insight and a sense of confidence that clients need when so much is at stake.
Looking Ahead
This award follows a banner year of recognition for our team — including numerous attorneys being named to the 2025 and 2026 lists of SuperLawyers and Best Lawyers. Being named Family and Matrimonial Law Firm of the Year is not only an honor, but also a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. It inspires us to continue setting the standard in family law and to keep providing the steady, trusted guidance New Jersey families rely on during life’s most challenging moments. We remain committed to being the steady hand our clients need, and the trusted legal partner New Jersey families turn to.
To those we’ve helped, thank you for trusting us. To those currently seeking guidance, we are here for you.
Facing a family law issue? Whether you’re going through a divorce, concerned about custody, or need to protect yourself with a restraining order, our team is ready to listen and help.
Request An Initial Consultation
About Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group
Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group is New Jersey’s dedicated family law firm, with offices across the state. We focus exclusively on divorce and family law matters, including child custody, alimony, division of assets, domestic violence, and post-divorce modifications. Many of our attorneys are Certified Matrimonial Law Attorneys, a designation held by only a small percentage of attorneys (currently 0.5% of attorneys) in the state. With compassion and deep legal knowledge, we are committed to safeguarding your rights, your children, and your future. Need help? Get answers today.
* For Award Selection Methodology please refer to The Lawyer Network.
Five Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America® 2026
We are proud to announce that five attorneys from Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group have been named to the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America®, a distinction based entirely on peer recognition and reserved for the nation’s most accomplished lawyers.
This year’s honorees include:
Dianna C. Cavaliere – Best Lawyers for Family Law
Robyn Howlett – Best Lawyers for Family Law and Lawyer of the Year in Family Law for the Toms River region
Carmela Novi – Best Lawyers for Family Law
Rachel Partyka – Best Lawyers for Family Law
Judge Philip Maenza (Ret.) – Best Lawyers for Family Law Mediation
To be named to Best Lawyers in America® is no small feat. The honor is based entirely on peer review — meaning other highly regarded attorneys in New Jersey nominate and evaluate the candidates. The process measures professional expertise, ethics, and a consistent record of achieving strong results for clients.
Why This Recognition Matters
“These awards are more than titles — they represent the trust and respect our attorneys have earned from their peers,” said Bari Weinberger, founder and managing partner of Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group. “We are deeply honored to see their hard work, skill, and commitment to serving our clients recognized in such a meaningful way.”
In addition to this year’s Best Lawyers accolades, 2025 has already been a year of achievement for the firm:
Our Commitment to Clients
Awards like these reflect our firm’s unwavering commitment to protecting clients’ rights, safeguarding children, and securing positive futures for families across New Jersey. Every client’s situation is unique, and our mission is always to provide the skill, compassion, and advocacy they need to move forward with confidence and clarity.
At Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, we are proud to be New Jersey’s largest law firm focused solely on family and matrimonial law — and even prouder to have our attorneys recognized for the exceptional service and results they deliver every day. If you’re facing a family law matter, we invite you to request a consultation and experience the skill, compassion, and advocacy that set our team apart.
If you are facing a family law matter and need trusted legal guidance, request a initial consultation today.
Five of Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group’s attorneys named to the 2026 Best Lawyers in America® list
When a Child’s Behavior Raises Red Flags: Can It Affect Custody Decisions in New Jersey?
When deciding child custody, the New Jersey courts carefully assess each parent’s ability to provide a safe, stable, and supportive environment for the child. But what happens if a child repeatedly engages in reckless or even criminal behavior? Could the parent responsible for the child’s daily care risk losing custody because of it?
Read more
Divorcing? Be Careful What You Tell ChatGPT — It Could End Up in Court
Have you been using ChatGPT to search for divorce information or even talk through your feelings during this difficult time? Think twice about what you share. What most people don’t realize is that conversations with ChatGPT aren’t legally protected the way confidential conversations with a divorce lawyer or therapist are.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Blindsided by a Spouse’s Affair? What the Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal Teaches About Protecting Your Next Steps
At Coldplay’s recent concert in Boston, a now-viral kiss cam moment unexpectedly revealed marital infidelity unfolding in real time. We’ve all seen the clip: as the camera panned to a couple in the stands, the woman quickly covered her face while the man ducked out of frame. Chris Martin, the band’s lead singer, tried to lighten the mood with his quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
When the footage hit newsfeeds the next day, the affair part of Martin’s prediction turned out to be true. The pair were quickly identified as married executives at the same company.
Headlines have focused on the two caught on camera (one has since resigned; the other’s job is in limbo). But what about the people left reeling behind the scenes: the unsuspecting spouses who discovered — alongside the rest of the world — that their partner was unfaithful?
If you’ve been recently blindsided by your spouse’s affair, you’re likely still caught in that crushing wave of grief, numbness, and emotional paralysis. You may feel frozen in place as you wonder what to do next: Should you confront your spouse? File for divorce? Is there a path to rebuilding trust?
In the shock-filled aftermath of betrayal, it’s essential to give yourself space to regain your mental calm and process what’s happened, and begin to take the first steps towards legally and emotionally protecting yourself. Here’s how to do just that. Read more
What Happens to Job Buyouts, Work Bonuses & Severance Packages In Divorce?
When Ed Orgeron, Louisiana State University’s former head football coach, walked away with a $17 million job buyout, he didn’t expect his ex-wife would claim half of it as a marital asset in their divorce. But that’s exactly what happened, and now the Louisiana Supreme Court has agreed she was entitled to over $8 million.
This case raises a key question for anyone facing divorce: Is a job buyout, severance package, or work bonus considered marital or separate property? In New Jersey, the answer often depends on timing, intent, and how the payout was earned.
Let’s take a deeper look.
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What a UK Supreme Court Ruling Can Teach New Jersey Couples About Protecting Assets in Divorce
Even though this case happened across the Atlantic, it raises important questions for couples here in New Jersey:
In high net worth divorce with complex assets, what counts as marital property — and what doesn’t? And how do you protect what’s yours?
Let’s break it down.
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Divorce Experts in New Jersey: Who You Need & When to Use Them
Getting a divorce in New Jersey can become complicated whenever significant assets, child custody disputes, or questions about income and employment are involved. In these more complex situations, input from an expert professional may be essential for reaching your goals. Financial specialists, appraisers, business valuators, custody experts, and therapists often play important roles in helping couples untangle the many layers of a divorce.
Should you involve experts in your divorce? Here’s a closer look at the types of professionals used in divorce — and how they might be helpful to you in reaching your goals.
[Download our FREE Divorce Experts Checklist]
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Teen’s Legal Move Raises Questions: Can Children Intervene in Divorce Cases?
Can a child intervene in their parents’ divorce to ensure their needs are properly met?
That’s the central issue in the high-profile divorce of former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and his wife, Glenna Bevin. As the couple moves to end their marriage, one of their adopted children, 18-year-old Jonah, has taken the unusual legal step of filing to intervene in the proceedings, arguing that his financial interests are not being adequately represented. Read more