Alcoholic DH - can they take our kids?

[SusieSueSu]

I'm an anxious person, so I don't know whether I am overreacting or not.

DH is an alcoholic, and finally acknowledged he has a problem, and self-referred to an outpatient rehab clinic and therapy. They asked him questions about whether there are children in the house, which got me worried in case social services will get involved.

We have a one-year-old child, and I am pregnant with our second. DH never drinks in the house. When he drinks, he drinks outside the home and comes home in the early hours and goes to sleep in the guest bedroom and doesn't come into contact with us until he's sobered up.

I am so scared social services will come and take our child away, but I don't know if that's a possibility or if my anxiety is just getting out of control.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom?

Op it’s great dh is getting help, you are there with kids so social services won’t worry. As long as dh doesn’t have them alone it’s ok.

How will you all manage if he’s in detox then rehab (not earning) etc?

Highly h likely unless there are other issues (like domestic violence), if the children are likely to cone to harm (like alcohol within each of small children) or your children are at risk/have been harmed. I work with children with alcoholic/drug addicted parents and many don't reach the threshold for support let alone to be removed.

Meant to say UNlikely there!

I've lived through this when I was younger mum went to rehab for a while . Social never got involved as she never drank during the day and my dad was around. 😊 take a deep breath.bits great that he's getting help

@user1498854363 He's never alone with DC when drunk or hungover. I'm not sure how it all works. I've taken a hands-off approach and letting him organise everything with therapy etc. He is a binge drinker (has a bog blowout about once a month), so I don’t think he will need detox. It's an outpatient service, so I'm guessing it will involve therapy sessions, rather than spending time in a rehab? Not sure. His first appointment is on Thursday so I will ask more then.

@ASauvignonADay That's a big relief, thank you. There is no domestic violence and he is never alone with DC when drunk or hungover.

@NotSoThinLizzy That's a relief. I will try to take a deep breath I'm very happy (and surprised and proud) he has sought help. I hope this is the beginning of his path to recovery.