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Alcohol support

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How to help partner stop excessive drinking

27 replies

ChezBomb1 · 22/09/2021 17:11

My partner has been drinking heavily in the evening for years. We are late 30s, no kids, together 20+ years, stable lives and jobs.

He doesn't appear to get 'drunk' most of the time, but can easily drink a bottle of red wine, perhaps also a beer, sometimes also a large whisky, on a weeknight. At the weekend, he starts mid afternoon and can end up drinking much more. He isn't a nasty drunk. He gets a bit mellow. Snores more. Doesn't always remember things we've talked about.

A few months ago, he said he wasn't going to drink 'in the week' - Mon to Thurs eve. I was so relieved. But he has Fridays off twice a month and so on those weeks it was just Mon to Weds off. Now, if ever he has a 'stressful' day at work, he brings home a bottle. And if I ever want a glass of wine (just the one for me!), he also uses that as an excuse to join in.

I really want him to cut down. I am worried about his future health and that his drinking might eventually escalate. I also worry about our home life together if he feels he needs to drink as a crutch.

He gets upset/annoyed if I ever mention cutting down, or mention that he isn't sticking to his new no week day drinking rules.

What can I do? Have any of you been where I am? Thank you

OP posts:
SallyWD · 22/11/2022 21:57

I lived with this for many years. There's nothing you can do unfortunately.

Andante57 · 22/11/2022 22:46

I'm slightly addicted to these videos that help you to see the psychology and science of addiction and teaches family members what to do to help with not bringing up their walls.

Tiny27 I’m probably being stupid, but what does ‘with not bringing up their walls’ mean?

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