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Alcohol support

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tuttifritti · 02/02/2026 18:44

CharlotteByrde · 02/02/2026 17:12

@tuttifritti welcome! I found an Alanon online group and they helped me, although I joined the group hoping they'd help me save him. Being told that I couldn't change, control, cure him was huge for me, though it seems so obvious now. But there was a lot of emphasis on detaching emotionally rather than physically and that didn't work for me. I needed him to go.

This is it. I want to save him but I know I can’t. And I don’t think he is ready to save himself. We each have daughters and his complain to me about his drinking. I have passed this on to him previously but though he acknowledges that it is hard to hear, he does nothing. It breaks my heart for them.

tuttifritti · 02/02/2026 18:46

Penguinsandspaniels · 02/02/2026 16:40

It’s still hard when you love someone an end of a relationship but esp hard when have kids as means I have to have contact with ex

tho to be fair he has been ok the last few weeks. Yes he’s drunk but he hasn’t bothered me as I said I would just block him again.

but he rang his brother and had long slurred drunk chats

and that’s the best I can hope for. To be civil and not annoy me when drunk

he will die via drinking tho still says he doesn’t drink - it’s almost comical if not sad that it’s gone so wrong

yet when doesn’t drink I see a shadow of his former self and who I fell in love with. Tho I def don’t love now.

Heartbreaking for you to know that this is their dad 😢 Flowers

Edithcantaloupe · 02/02/2026 18:56

My response to not dancing around the room at ‘I’m not going to drink again’ is to say that I am working very hard on not having an opinion about that - as if I do I will become anxious & worry when he’s not home.

Now that actually a lot of progress has been made I just comment on how much progress I can see and give the well done for that (authentic - there has been a big shift in attitude - I still can’t really think about will he won’t he without anxiety through).

Penguinsandspaniels · 02/02/2026 18:57

tuttifritti · 02/02/2026 18:46

Heartbreaking for you to know that this is their dad 😢 Flowers

It is hard. Dc is young but knows he drinks and she doesn’t like it or to be around him when he does and I make sure she isn’t now and if he is drunk we just leave

that’s all I can do to protect

Zebracat · 02/02/2026 19:02

I’ve got a new worry. My son is in the process of divorce. I adore my daughter in law. They have 2 small children. They are still in the same house which is adversely affecting all of them. They have agreed a financial arrangement which would enable him to move out, but won’t anticipate the Courts agreement. Anyway she phoned me last week and explained that throughout their 20 year relationship, he has shown a pattern of binge drinking, leading to really destructive behaviour. I remember him getting very drunk on several occasions when much younger, but had no idea it was ongoing. There doesn’t seem to be a physical dependence yet, but he is now drinking to excess much much more frequently. They have been alternating weekend care of the children, but he recently drank while he had sole care, despite agreeing not to. He brought the children to us the next day and was clearly in a very bad place, and I now understand that he was massively hungover. I’m posting, but of course I do understand that I cant fix him. I just dont know how to navigate this. Of course, I will always prioritise the children.
Should I break her confidence and raise this?

Zebracat · 02/02/2026 19:03

Oops just seen how late is, I’m going out now, home at10. Definitely open to hearing peoples thoughts.

Penguinsandspaniels · 02/02/2026 19:10

Did dil @Zebracat that dad was drinking when looking after the dc

or you hid it from her as he did ?

he may be your son but your grandchildren are the ones who you need to protect so you tell dil he was drinking

she will hopefully say he can’t have the kids alone /over night

when dc was seeing her dad alone (doesn’t want to at the moment) I breathalysed him at drop off and pick up

if he was over the limit he didn’t see her

I currently stay when she sees him as that’s what she wants

AcrossthePond55 · 02/02/2026 19:25

@Zebracat

....but he recently drank while he had sole care, despite agreeing not to. He brought the children

Yes, I would tell her about that without a moment's hesitation. The children need to be protected even if it affects your relationship with your son. The helpless have priority over those refusing to help themselves.

My feelings are that I owe the alcoholic no loyalty whatsoever when it comes to lying or 'keeping secrets'. By continuing to drink knowing that it's causing problems to their loved ones, they certainly show no loyalty to us. Also one of the main things we are taught as family members is never enable them by covering up their drinking.

Edithcantaloupe · 02/02/2026 20:28

Definitely tell her. If you protect him from the consequences of his choices he will never have to change. xx

Zebracat · 02/02/2026 22:29

Oh sorry, I didn’t make it clear. He came to us on Saturday, didn’t drink whilst with us, but was in a bad mood. I didnt know why, but their situation is stressful and he is depressed. Dil told me , later that week that she believes he was drinking the night before he came to us. It was new information for me.I would never place the children at risk. My question is should I try to talk to my son about his drinking, even though dil doesnt want him to know she has told me, not because she would be at risk, but because she doesn’t want him to think we are taking sides.

CharlotteByrde · 02/02/2026 22:49

@zebracat you could say to him that he was visibly hungover on Saturday and make it very clear that drinking while in charge of the children is out of the question and you will always prioritise your grandchildren's safety.

wouldratgerbeunknown · 02/02/2026 23:46

Oh no . Such a terrible time for you. Now you r got your son and grandchildren in the mix plus keeping a good relationship with your daughter in law.
I'm new to this an appreciating all the support and advice I've been giving but I don't feel I can offer much except some woolly hugs x

AcrossthePond55 · 03/02/2026 00:26

@Zebracat

I think I'd go with what @CharlotteByrde is suggesting. At this point I think I'd keep your DiL's confidence. You want to keep the lines of communication open with her, she's probably going to really need you at some point and you want her to know you're a 'soft place to land' for her.

As far as 'taking sides' I'd be siding with the 'responsible parent' and that's her, unless there is more to the story (and I'm not asking!).

And FWIW just because he binge drinks that doesn't mean there isn't a physical addiction. Often binge-ers will drink a small amount daily to avoid the 'craves' but gradually the craving takes over and they binge.

Zebracat · 03/02/2026 09:10

Thanks all. I will start from there, although, it has to be said, I didn’t suspect a hangover, and I’m well aware of the signs. I’ve been on this thread a long time, because I inherited a relatives child when Children’s Services finally became aware of the severity of their alcoholism. I’ve done the helping , the optimism, the relapses, the enabling and the walking away, and I’ve watched a child struggle to heal. I know the children come first.
I’m not good at lying so if he asks if I’ve been talking to his wife, it would be impossible to not say yes. What is interesting is that he already seems to have the full tool kit for evading accountability. I challenged his behaviour to the children(arsey and impatient), and he said it was how I raised him, he blamed my dog, me, the children, his wife, his situation, current child rearing practices, and when I stuck doggedly to the fact that his behaviour was inappropriate, he stormed off to bed. He was absolutely fine the next day though. I hate this. Moving far far away would be cowardly wouldn’t it?

Penguinsandspaniels · 03/02/2026 11:09

Ah right so drank Friday and then Had children saturday and hungover

tuttifritti · 03/02/2026 11:58

I don’t know that moving away would be cowardly @Zebracat. It sounds like you have had more than your fair share or weathering the impact of alcoholics.

AcrossthePond55 · 03/02/2026 19:53

tuttifritti · 03/02/2026 11:58

I don’t know that moving away would be cowardly @Zebracat. It sounds like you have had more than your fair share or weathering the impact of alcoholics.

@Zebracat

I kind of agree with this. You have a right to have a peaceful home. If you have to move to get it, so be it.

There is a place I'd move in a heartbeat if it weren't for my 'advancing years' and wanting to be close to my adult DC in case the time comes I need a little help. I've seen how difficult it is with older folks when they don't live near-ish their DC. I was so glad my folks lived nearby for just that reason. But that's my choice, if you choose to move, that is also a valid choice.

But in your case you are probably also thinking about your DGC. If I thought I might be needed for them I think I'd have a hard time moving.

wouldratgerbeunknown · 04/02/2026 10:52

Hello all .
Just mentally preparing for Monday and my husband's release.
I keep reading about boundaries, not enabling, being co dependent.
What are these boundaries?
My current plan is to
Not monitor him constantly looking for signs of drinking , searching for evidence.
Not tie everything to him so still go out with friends and try to be normal
Let him sort out his own doctor appointments sick notes for work etc
Let him arrange his AA meetings and not keep nagging about them
Tell him to call his sponser not me for support.

Meanwhile I have
Told a few people so I have places to stay if things are bad
I have phoned some advice lines for families but so far haven't found them helpful but I can keep trying.
Tried to get finances as sorted as possible
Emptied the house of alcohol
Told a couple of friends that if we socialise with them at least for the next three months no booze to be involved.
Stopped drinking alcohol myself ( I used to love a glass of wine now and again but feel revolted by it now)
Am not going to be drawn into any conversations when he is drunk.
I have sorted out a bedroom for myself in the house and have a lock so I can feel protected . He isn't physically violent but the talking at me and accusations are exhausting
Have set a time line in my mind that if he relapses I will leave or ask him to leave ( I don't think he will but he may as well be lying in bed drinking anywhere it doesn't need to be in my nice house!)

Any other practical advice would be very gratefully appreciated

Userccjlnhibibljn8 · 04/02/2026 11:36

@wouldratgerbeunknown I don't recall upthread if you have found a therapist/counselor of your own, but that might be helpful, so you know you have a parcel of time where you can focus on you and your feelings regularly.
Keep reciting the serenity prayer in what ever form you find helpful.
Wishing you well.

Zebracat · 04/02/2026 13:00

@wouldratgerbeunknown My advice would be to make that bedroom you have sorted really really lovely. Honestly, I’d spent the weekend decorating, buy a new bed and bedding, tv, art on the walls, absolutely the cosiest nest anyone can imagine, somewhere you want to spend time.
We recently decorated our spare bedrooms. They are beautiful and my husband , who is absolutely adorable, apart from snoring, doesn’t know it but the whole concept of a shared bedroom is hanging by a thread.
I would also suggest that you organise a break away from the house at least once a month for the next 3 months. Go on a painting weekend, or a yoga retreat, take up pony trekking. Whatever. You don’t need to spend the next few months watching him, waiting for this to fail, it’s on him to make it work, and you will need a break. Also, In my experience, feeling 100% confident in your relationship is not a motivation to change. Seeing that your partner is prepared to move on just, sometimes, might be.

wouldratgerbeunknown · 04/02/2026 13:07

Hi yes I've made the bedroom really nice plus moved my clothes in there !! It's a message.
Plus it's a lovely quiet room looking over the garden.

I definitely was acting like his nurse/ mother/ co conspirator so I need to change that.

Yes the friends I've confided in are very happy to support me so I'll make the most of that..

Still finding the shock of the future not being what I thought it would be so difficult to comprehend

Nogoodusername · 04/02/2026 20:16

That is a really good boundaries list @wouldratgerbeunknown. I wish I had been so sensible to do this after rehab 1 with Ex. I literally ran around and did everything that you are sensibly planning not to, and guess what, made zero difference to his recovery (relapsed after 3ish weeks) and set a terrible precedent for the next year about my role in his recovery. I was Enabler in Chief until it half destroyed me!

wouldratgerbeunknown · 04/02/2026 20:58

Well I e had a lot of good advice on here!!!
Easy to say it all now but might be difficult to stick to .

Penguinsandspaniels · 04/02/2026 21:03

We can advise due to our own experience an God hindsight is an amazing thing

whatever Happens we are all here to listen support and offer advice via own experiences

but we all deal with things differently

AcrossthePond55 · 04/02/2026 23:05

@wouldratgerbeunknown

You've set your boundaries and that's good. But I'd be sure that he understands what they are, too. And that you are prepared to leave if he drinks AND that you have a place to go.

I did a lot of the same things you've set as boundaries, including the room. In my case I ended up spending more and more time locked in there with him shouting up the stairs. So just be sure that you understand that privacy, quiet, and calm are good things, if he'll leave you be. But having to lock yourself in as an escape or refuge from his shouting is not.

I completely get the not drinking yourself. I used to love a glass of wine or a cocktail now or then. But DH has spoilt that for me and I have lost all enjoyment in a glass or a drink. Shame really, for those of us who can drink responsibly.

And please remember that you are entitled to change your boundaries if what you've decided today isn't working tomorrow. Just don't relax them, whatever they are.

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