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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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My husband is a cocaine addict.

201 replies

Mbshell · 01/03/2018 05:26

Hi there, I’m after some advice. My story is very long and complicated so I’m going to try and keep it as simple as possible by highlighting the main points.

I’ve been with my husband for 16 years married for nearly 10, we have 4 great kids aged 7-16, he is the most amazing person, brilliant father and husband you could wish for. He will do anything for anyone, however, nearly 4 years ago I noticed a few subtle changes. One night I caught him on his phone in the middle of the night hiding it, I thought he must be having an affair ‘obviously’ But It came out he was talking to a dealer who was dropping two bags of cocaine off round my back garden. I actually was sick with rage. I literally couldn’t believe what I was seeing. He was pretty much tea total a complete fitness freak and here he was taking cocaine whilst me and my kids were in bed. I threw him out and he went to stay with his family who live away. I only told a few close family members not my parents as I didn’t want it to make them ill with worry. He confessed to taking it once at a Christmas work party and liked it, because he doesn’t go out drinking he told me he bought it once a month when he got paid and took it on a Thursday night when we were all in bed. Knowing it would be out of his system by the Monday for work. I took him to counselling where the women didn’t think once a month was that much of an issue and told me that life was hard. I thought “yes but most people I know don’t turn to hard drugs”

Anyway he was diagnosed with clinical depression, he was so sickened by what he’d done to us that him made him feel worse! I stuck by him and supported him. Then he got a bad back the drs drugged him full of opiates, it become obviously quickly that he’d gone from cocaine to being addicted to prescription drugs. This caused massive conflict as I was always suspicious of what he’d taken whether it be too much tramadol or coke again. In between I found messages in his friend of him asking if he could get hold of any coke, I went to buy a cat and found a empty bag of coke in the cat carrier. He was adamant it was from ages ago but I knew he was lying. I’d shout at him, he’d get defensive and we’ve had periods where we don’t talk to each other for a week at a time as I’m paranoid of what he’s doing.

After a massive row nye he said he hadn’t felt well for so long, he hated his job, he never felt anything positive and didn’t feel love towards me or the kids, or anyone. About a year ago he started being mentally abusive towards me about people I’d slept with before I met him, hounding me about it even though I’d told him everything before I met him, I’ve been with 12 men not a huge amount, but suddenly it was a massive problem. He left me feeling dirty and ashamed. I knew he was in a bad place so he had a month off work to get himself sorted, the dr prescribed him strong antidepressants and this time he vowed to stick with them. He refused any alcohol even though he’s not a big drinker, and agreed to try and not abuse any prescription drugs, so I finally thought this was it. I had a few weeks where I had my old husband back. I was ill for the whole of January and he cared for me so well, he bombarded me with messages telling me how much he loved me and he was happy in his new role at work. I genuinely thought we’d tirned a corner.

Fast forward to last Friday, we discovered I was pregnant (unplanned) I was freaking out because we were only just getting sorted. He told me everything would be fine and that the baby was made from love and it might be the kick he needed to stick with recovery. Then an hour later he went out to buy me and the kids some dinner and he’d only been gone 30 minutes. He came back off his face! When I questioned him he lied so I told him it was it, that I was gonna get rid of the baby as I could t see my life ever getting better when he does crap like this.

He slept on the sofa, I came down to him still asleep, he’d drank nearly a whole bottle of wine and 4 bottles of beer. I then checked his fb and he’d blocked me and set his profile to single. I was so mad at his behaviour that I threw a mug at him which hit him on the head. I told him to leave.

He went to stay at a friends, I found a empty pen with snot on and two rolled up bits of bloody tissue in my back garden, underneath my bathroom window in the back garden. He was obviously taking it all night and when I walked in threw the evidence out of the window. I told my mum and dad everything about the drugs and literally most people I know, as I’m fed up of always being made out to be the monster for me always kicking him out. Because my husband ( off drugs) is such a lovely bloke, people have trouble believing what I’m telling them. But I feel ike I need all the support I can get.

I messaged him to find out what the hell hes doing? And he has literally changed to someone I don’t know, he is defensive, almost avoiding the coke questions, he refuses to tell me where he gets it from or how often he uses. He says it’s bad anyway so what’s the point in talking about it. He also was more upset that I threw a mug at him as apparently that was unacceptable. He’s looking for a house share and had made contact with the drug counsellor again, (as we have a mortgage which is in his name) I found out he’s legal to pay for it with me and the kids to stay in til our youngest child is 18. It’s all a huge mess at the minute, the problem is I love him so much! Despite everything I know this is not the real him. The thought of him doing anything to upset me when he’s well would make him cry. At the minute I text him to tell him that my world has fallen apart again and I don’t think I can ever trust him again and all he texts me back is “well that was your choice to keep having me back, you didn’t have to. I can’t be arsed with you keep hounding me about it” he finally admitted to taking cocaine and buying it when he went to get dinner, the dealer must live close. The reason he gave was like a celebration about the baby, which Id find laughable if I wasn’t so upset. I just can’t understand. He said an urge will just come over him and he can’t do anything to stop it. Not anything! Not me threatening to leave not him dying nothing!

I don’t know what to do about the baby, I feel that I’ll keep it regardless as it’s not the baby’s fault either, I really hope he can get the help but I can’t have him back living in our house until I know he’s 100% clean when that will be I don’t know. I’m scared in case he can’t be bothered and living on his own might make him worse, I’m also worried that he might go with someone else as that for me would be the nail in the coffin. I can’t stop crying, I can’t eat, or sleep. If this baby survives it will be a miracle.

Sorry it’s so long winded. But any advice would be amazing

OP posts:
Snowysky20009 · 01/03/2018 05:35

I'm sorry OP you are going through this. The first thing I would say is that you, your children and the baby comes first. You can't make decisions based on how worried you are about him. Because right now, he has no regard for any of you.

LadyCassandra · 01/03/2018 05:35

I really don't have any advice, except that as the SIL of a cocaine addict who has been an addict for 12 years, you can give him all the support in the world, but unless he wants to get rehab, he will not stop.
BIL is currently 9 months clean, but I will never trust that it is for good, until it has been as long as he has been an addict. In the meantime we have given him money, time, love, and eventually moved overseas to escape it. DH has been heartbroken again and again, and my advice would be to concentrate on your children and deal with him when he can prove he is consistently clean.

Jobbieshitkakaboudin · 01/03/2018 05:40

You cant rely on your DH. So whatever you decide regarding the baby, imagine you are doing everything alone forever. Also, he might be obliged to keep a roof over your head but if he becomes a full blown drug addict, he wont be paying the mortgage and you will be responsible for that too.

Its so hard for you but youve done the right thing asking him to leave - not easy for you. You cant have drugs in the house with your children.

Some people might be shocked by the cup. I think its understandable - the guy is fucking up your life. And your kids.

Whatever you decide, he can't be involved.

araiwa · 01/03/2018 05:49

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bumbleymummy · 01/03/2018 05:56

I came on to say the same as LadyC, they have to want to stop themselves for it to happen. A close family member is a drug addict and he had to hit rock bottom before he caught on and started trying to rebuild his life. Maybe this will be the wake up call or maybe it will be something else down the line. What a horrible situation for you all :(

ChocolateButton15 · 01/03/2018 05:59

I think you need to follow through with kicking him out. He needs to hit rock bottom and accept he has a drug problem. It sounds like he's still in the denial stage and you won't be able to help him because he doesn't think he's doing anything wrong. If you have him back the cycle will carry on. I would recommend seeing a solicitor about the house

Mbshell · 01/03/2018 05:59

A bit once a month, I think it’s a little more than that. As I said I’ve kept the post relatively simple. There has been so much more. If you don’t think taking drugs in the house when children are involved, leaving evidence of drug use hidden around the house, driving whilst drunk, running up huge gambling debts and being pretty much taking any prescription drug he can get his hands on as not as bad as throwing a mug than I feel that you are the one with issues.

I don’t condone Violence what so ever, but there is only so much one person can take. This was my breaking point. That’s when I realised he had to go.

OP posts:
Shockers · 01/03/2018 06:02

I disagree. You have had your trust shattered and there are drugs in your home.

Plan to go it alone from now on. It will be scary, but it’s better than trying to rely on an addict (which he is because he can’t stop even though it’s breaking up his family).

Until he seeks help himself, there just isn’t any point in investing your time in trying to help him. Your children need you more.

Don’t get caught up in believing you are violent; you threw a cup in frustration after finding out your husband cares less about his family than drugs.

Good luck.

LadyCassandra · 01/03/2018 06:04

araiwa That's your response after reading the whole OP. Clearly the OP's DH is not doing it once a month!

bottleofredplease · 01/03/2018 06:06

I don't get why he's taking it on his own? It's a social drug surely? He has a serious problem if he's sitting up all night doing it on his own.

Mbshell · 01/03/2018 06:08

Thanks all yes my finances are a big concern I work part time, I’ve just changed my tax credits to a single claim. My number one priority is my children, I don’t want them thinking that taking drugs are normal nor do I want my daughters seeing that this is an acceptable way for a man to treat his family. I’ve explained to then that their dad is poorly at the minute and hopefully he will get better away from us. I just can’t believe how much this drug is changing him. When I look at him I’m repulsed but love him so much at the same time as I partly think he’s been bloody stupid and now it’s gone too far!
It’s my daughters birthday soon on the same day as her dads, I told him he can come round to see her but I’m not sure if I should distance myself from him as in no texts no reaching out to him, etc and wait for him to try and get us back. I just feel that if I still have a relationship with him “but he lives away” he will keep his drug use done there as it will be hidden. I literally feel so poorly. I suddenly stopped my antidepressants when I thought I might be pregnant and my anxiety and ocd has come on strong. I am worried about taking antidepressants in early pregnancy.

OP posts:
bumbleymummy · 01/03/2018 06:12

Afaik there are antidepressants that you can take when you’re pregnant. Speak to your GP as soon as you can. You need as much support as you can get right now.

isthismylifenow · 01/03/2018 06:26

Mb what a awful situation to be in.

Just have to say to Araiwa, that from all of this information, you highlight on one small incident when clearly OP is at her wits end.

As hard as it is, I think you have done the right thing by getting him to move out. He clearly has a lot of issues (depression etc) but you also have four children to think about. As currently is isn't/can't. Afaik he does have to agree to go to rehab, which possibly is something that could help him, there is only so much you can do OP, which it seems you have already done, but to not much avail.

I think you need to urgent get to your doctor, for you. You cannot just stop taking antid's, please let dr give you something you can take now. Then you deal with each day as it comes for the moment.

I think his/your family need to know everything. You aren't really doing him any favours by covering for him, but most of all, they need to know that you need support too.

Don't forget to eat, drink and try to get some rest. Its a lot to deal with.

Flowers
Mbshell · 01/03/2018 06:26

bumbleymummy - I do indeed. I think I may need some sort of counselling too. The thing that I’m finding overwhelming is that this is going to be no quick fix, which terrifies me. Sad

OP posts:
ThereIsTooMuchConfusion · 01/03/2018 06:29

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. As the others have said he has to want to be clean and until that happens you need to concentrate on you and the kids. Addiction is life shattering for the person involved and almost more so for the people that love them.
Can you get support from your parents and friends? Although he might be financial responsible for your house it might be worth going to CAB to ask what you are entiltled to on your own because he is likely to hit rock bottom before things improve and this might involve losing his job and taking more drugs and ultimately not having any money to support you despite the legalities.

I really feel for you and have seen this happen to a close friend of mine. And it was life shattering. But she is now living in a beautiful home she created for her and her 4 kids and she has no contact with ex anymore and is much happier but like you loved him so much and felt the need to help him all the time but after 10years of on/off coke and in the end any substance he could afford she had to break free completely from him. It was heart breaking but She is much happier now.

Shoxfordian · 01/03/2018 06:36

This is such a difficult situation. I agree you shld talk to your gp and consider some counselling. I don't know if you have or would consider whether keeping the baby is the right thing? It seems to be adding a lot of stress to an already stressful time for your family

As your husband is an addict, he needs to get help but until he does I don't think you can have him around your children or your house. It's probably a good idea to speak to a solicitor as well.

yellowpaper · 01/03/2018 06:44

This is heartbreaking. Is your eldest doing her GCSEs this year? Please let the schools know in case he turns up there. You’re in my prayers x

Mummyoflittledragon · 01/03/2018 06:46

While your husband knows or has the perception he can win you back, he’s not going to reach rock bottom. I know that must be hard to hear for you. I understand you desperately want the sober him back, especially with another baby on the way. But he’s unable or incapable of giving that to himself, let alone you and your children. I really think you need to do what you can to try to draw a close to your marriage. If at some time in the distant future, things change, you can reconsider. Right now, your emotions are so confused, I’m sure.

My concern with having him around your children at your dds birthday is that you don’t know if he will turn up sober. How are you going to handle the situation if he’s off his face? Right now it sounds as though he’s being very reckless.

As for the ignorant post from arwaia, I ywas so preposterous that I laughed.

isupposeitsverynice · 01/03/2018 06:52

Please contact Families Anonymous - it's for those affected by addiction in family members. It was a huge help to my mum when she found out her husband was a cocaine addict. Good luck Flowers

eddielizzard · 01/03/2018 06:55

what a horrific situation. i think you're doing absolutely the right thing. the only way he's going to turn this around is if he hits rock bottom. you have to stay strong and look after your dc's - and that means you can't expose them to his behaviour, or evidence of his drug use.

you're absolutely right to tell people too. covering this up only does you harm, and now you can gain the support of family and friends.

i would tell him that if he wants to see the children, he absolutely cannot be high. if you get a whiff of it, he will have to leave.

good luck to you. this is a hard road and you're doing all the right things.

Salene · 01/03/2018 06:56

You cannot help him OP he needs to help himself

If it was me I would tell him life as he knows it with you and the kids is over , he is gone.

If and when he realises the state he has made of his life , gets cleans and sorts himself out well then you may discuss the chance of being a family again

But until then I’m afraid you need to go it alone. Currently he is not a husband nor a father he is a drug addict and unfortunately drugs come first to addicts and they cannot help it while in the mist of addiction. He is the only one who can sort his life out , he needs to seek help.

As for baby that’s a choice only you can make but right now life for you needs to be that of a single parent

Hopefully he will sort his issues out and you can be a family again but it will take time so for now and at least prob all of 2018 you need to sort life for you and the kids

Drug addiction is a disease of the mind, but it can be beaten but it takes a lot of strength from the person and they truely need to be at rock bottom to realise how much drugs are destroying there lives.

Drugs is what is making him miserable, what’s making him feel detached from his family but in his mind drugs are what’s making him feel a little bit of happiness , until it dawns on him that’s its the drugs that’s actually causing the misery he won’t stop.

Concentrate on you and your children , tell him if and when he sorts his life out he can return and you can discuss your future

Until then I wouldn’t allow him anywhere near your kids I’m afraid.

Good luck , addiction and drugs are pure evil I really feel for you op it’s a horrendous thing to deal with in your life

Peachyking000 · 01/03/2018 06:59

*Doing a bit of coke once a month doesnt bother.

I would be very concerned about your angry violence*

Fuck me, can’t believe anyone is trying to blame OP for this situation Hmm

I have every sympathy for you OP. An ex of mine died from cocaine abuse, which also started off as a once a month habit. He was in huge debt and made his family’s life a misery for the year before he died, through lies, borrowing/stealing money and running up huge debts. Obviously I’m going to tell you to run for the hills, but I appreciate it’s not that easy when you are in this awful situation

TheBrilloPad · 01/03/2018 07:07

One thing I would pick up on OP is that you said you "found out he had to legally keep paying the mortgage so you could stay in the house until your youngest is 18". I'm afraid that's not true. Out of his wages, he'd have to pay you child maintenance, and ensure he can rent a place of his own and pay his own bills etc. You'd have to cover the mortgage yourself, unless he is a very high earner where you may get spousal maintenance etc. But it sounds unlikely that he is a high earner if you said as a couple you qualified for tax credits. I doubt any court would force him to be paying a mortgage for the next 11 years, so I would get proper legal advice if I were you.

mathanxiety · 01/03/2018 07:11

I second going to your GP and getting back on ADs.

Go to a support group for families.
famanon.org.uk/
www.adfam.org.uk/families/find_a_local_support_group

I think you have done the right thing in throwing him out, and importantly, you have told your family the truth. I think you should go further in what you tell your DCs. Maybe after getting some advice if you go to a support group you will be better able to figure out what to tell them.

Everything always happens at once, doesn't it? Hope your family can support you with the pregnancy. I also wonder about the birthday visit, whether it has the potential to be a disaster.

You need to be sure that your mortgage gets paid. How secure is your H's job? What are the prospects for you to start working full time? How much equity do you have in the house? You should speak to a solicitor.

Rudi44 · 01/03/2018 07:14

I think doing coke ans having coke in a house were there are young children is incredibly dangerous and stupid. How could you ever trust him to take care of the kids alone.

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