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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:
jessei · 01/03/2018 07:18

So so sorry to hear you and your dc are going through this Thanks

If I found out my dp was doing coke once a month I would be beyond livid! To be honest if he'd ever done it in our house near our dc it would be over.

It's sounds very unfair how things are unfolding for you but he does really need to believe how serious you are. You cannot let him live with you whilst he still has this problem. You need to focus 100% on your dc and unborn baby. He needs to sort himself out before he can be part of your life again.

RochelleGoyle · 01/03/2018 07:22

Oh OP, no advice but so sorry you're in this situation. Flowers

Please ignore Araiwa's mindless comment.

IrisAtwood · 01/03/2018 07:23

you highlight on one small incident when clearly OP is at her wits end

If this had been a man there would have been a chorus of LTB and get in touch with Womens’ Aid.

Anyway, OP, I agree that you need space away from your husband. No one should accept the behaviour that he is involved in.

Loonyluna16 · 01/03/2018 07:26

OP I sympathise I really do. You'll never be able to help him until he wants help himself. You've done right by getting him out the house as it's not good for you or your DC. I really hope you begin to find peace soon it really sounds like you need some calm in your life Flowers

I have to mention the mug though, that was bad. If this was a man writing this on here saying he'd hit his wife on the head with a mug (regardless of the situation) he would be slammed. I appreciate you were at breaking point but that cannot be an excuse I'd understand breaking a mug or throwing it at a wall, but not another person's head. I'm in no way bashing you op it's just seems to be a bit of a double standard here on MN that it's ok for a woman to hit a man when she's at the end of her tether when it's really not.

mathanxiety · 01/03/2018 07:31

Some people deserve medals for making very unpromising threads all about the menz, and the feminazis.

PipLongStockings · 01/03/2018 07:35

Just wanted to say I have been exactly where you are. My advice would be
Don't think about the pregnancy as a baby, it's just a cluster of cells for now and you really need to consider yourself and your children first. Particularly as PP said, if he carries on down this road you will have to cover the mortgage.
Your husband is no longer the same man you married. He won't ever be unfortunately. You CANNOT make him stop and he won't, nothing is more important than the cocaine. It will come first and it will swallow every penny he has.
Take your AD now and every day until you see GP. Your mental health and the well-being of your children is the most important, they need their mum.

PipLongStockings · 01/03/2018 07:37

Oh and don't worry about the mug. I punched mine and broke his nose, never hit anyone in my life but had an out of body experience due to the hurt and stress. Reactions are powerful

Pippioddstocking · 01/03/2018 07:47

OP you sound like a strong capable woman, you've already endured and survived far more than I think I ever could.
Unfortunately in my line of work I have come across many people like your husband and I agree 100 percent with the posters who say - you cannot make him change , the change has to come from himself, in order for that to happen he has to hit rock bottom first.
Concentrate on you and the children and take him out of the equation for now .
Good luck .

Pippioddstocking · 01/03/2018 07:48

Also don't fret too much about the mug throwing . X

DannyLaRuesBestFrock · 01/03/2018 07:51

Doing a bit of coke once a month doesnt bother.

I would be very concerned about your angry violence

Come on now. Don't be a twat.

isthismylifenow · 01/03/2018 07:55

If this had been a man there would have been a chorus of LTB and get in touch with Womens’ Aid

Iris lucky for OP then that she isn't a man and so let's hope that she can continue to post freely here, so that she can get the support she very much needs.

Mary1935 · 01/03/2018 07:59

Hi he's clearly an addict and taking more than you know about. He told you "it's bad" - I read that "you took him to counselling twice" sadly - this is not the way forward with him. HE needs to want help.
Claim all the benefits you can. If he stops paying the mortgage speak to the mortgage company. Are you on the mortgage. He may have hidden debts too. Get support from your family - contact one of the support agencies recommended by others. Look after yourself - limit contact with him to protect yourself. I feel for you and your children. Keep posting for support if it helps.

Elephant17 · 01/03/2018 08:08

Sounds like a horrible situation. Agree with others, you need to leave him to get on with it now, he may well get worse before he gets better, if he ever does want to get better. Definitely seek professional advice re finances and house and think very carefully about the pregnancy before making any final decisions Flowers

I must say though, I too am pretty shocked by the double standards here re violence.

Clutterbugsmum · 01/03/2018 08:11

**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 - No just idiot clearly reading a different thread to everyone else.

OurMiracle1106 · 01/03/2018 08:15

My ex husband was addicted to cocaine too. He was violent manipulative and damn right nasty on it. I tried everything imaginable to help him counselling, doctor, psychiatrist, putting up with it, minimising, crying even when I got PND and was at the point of wanting to kill myself or our child his priority remained cocaine. Even when taking all the money leaving us with no food etc.

In the end I left for the last time. I haven’t gone back. Last time I heard from him he was getting help and had stopped using BUT that’s just his words and they are words I have heard all too many times.

I know how dreadful cocaine is
Flowers

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 01/03/2018 08:17

I'm so sorry you're in the midst of this.🌸
Don't allow him the privilege of celebrating your daughters birthday, with the family, he needs to reach rock bottom, before he can claw his way back up. He may choose not to.
Please get as much support from family, friends and professionals, as you can. Do see a Solicitor about the house etc, and your GP, about your depression.
There is literally nothing you can do, or say, to help him, it has to come from him. For you it is like grieving a living person, but you have to do this for your children and your future. Whether or not you decide to proceed with your pregnancy, only you can decide.
My heart goes out to you Sweet, deal with the main points first, to secure your future, the rest will follow.
Araiwa, no need to stamp on someone's head, when they're already drowning, I hope you never have to wear OP's shoes, shame on you.

Badtimegirly · 01/03/2018 08:18

I am dealing with a similar situation, however my DP addiction is far worse and I am heartbroken. The discovering of your loved ones addiction is shattering, and your initial reaction is that you can help them and it will be ok and get through this.
I held this belief for the last 18 months. Sadly for me the reality is, I know now deep inside that his addiction is so strong that he will always put it before me and his kids.
I have become downtrodden, paranoid at times, and on high alert most of the time. I never know from day to day which DP is going to come walking through the front door, the man I love or the psychotic maniac, who has smashed my house up, fractured my arm, and has made me feel at times my life is not worth living.

I have thrown him out three times for him to only return begging and in an appalling state, and me allowing him back into my life.

I have just had the weekend from hell, his lies and deception caught up with him. Addiction makes people compulsive and manipulative liars, whatever they tell you ie I only do it once a month and only a couple of grams, in reality is probably every week at least.

An addict will only get help when THEY want to, not when we try to get them help.

My disgust and hatred for my DP right now is solid, I finally told him it is over and he has to make arrangements to move out by the weekend, if not he will be force-ably removed and if there is any threat of violence then the police will be called. I don't know where this will power has come from but I am actually totally serious, I am a woman on a mission.

What I am trying to say here is this to you OP the situation will not get better, you cannot help him, and you could end up like me totally broken, and that is the worst feeling in the world. Do not end up like me broken down and facing the nightmare of addiction and abuse on a daily basis. You and your children deserve to be happy, you all deserve better than a partner who will always promise you the world, always have a excuse for not seeking help and in time make you feel so broken you believe life is not worth living. Whilst you are with him you in time will realise there is always a black cloud on your shoulder, a dirty little secret, which you cannot speak about to your closest friends and family.

Don't end up like me, act now before it gets worse and trust me it will.

Sending you strength on this snowy morning.

isthismylifenow · 01/03/2018 08:31

I send you strength too Badtime. I am so very sorry to read of your heartache, can just hear it through your post.

Keep strong. Flowers

iTonya · 01/03/2018 08:41

araiwa often pops up with 'controversial' hot takes. I wouldn't take any notice.

stitchglitched · 01/03/2018 08:50

He's an abusive, paranoid drug addict who has class A drugs lying around the house where your children live and has brought drug dealers to your door. You retaliated, once, to a long period of abuse, lying, gaslighting and jeopardising the safety of your children. Please don't let posters on here with an agenda convince you that you are the perpetrator in this. I wouldn't have him back in the house.

Booboobooboo84 · 01/03/2018 09:04

You need to show him what life is like without you and the dc in it. Take care of yourself and then. Put your mental well-being first. Try not to make any rash decisions re the pregnancy but make sure any decision you make is the best one for you.

The mug throwing is unacceptable and isn’t understandable. Violence towards another person is unacceptable plain and simple. However the fact you’ve done it doesn’t make you a terrible person but you should take it as a sign that thing sneed to change.

PipLongStockings · 01/03/2018 09:24

Badtimegirly hugs

Mbshell · 01/03/2018 10:13

Thanks to everyone who replied. I keep thinking that the new baby might be my focus, “ I know my children are” but lately when DH and I have been arguing I’ve been drinking more wine than I normally would. I’ve never been a big drinker, just socially, but rarely go out. But lately Ive used it to block out the pain from everything. Since I found out I was pregnant I haven’t drank and forced myself to eat etc. Because I know I’m pregnant.

I literally feel horrendous, looking back there have been so many times when I’ve been suspicious of his use, but he’s always made me feel guilty for questioning him. He’s swore on our children’s lives whilst looking me point blank in the face. I never thought he’d do that but then again I never thought he’d do any of this.

He phoned last night to speak to DD about her birthday, I went on the phone to ask what his plans were. He didn’t seem passionate and sounded like he couldn’t really be arsed to talk. He kept saying “ I can’t come back because I’ve pushed you too far now, with the mug throwing and where will it end?” I explained that he wasn’t going to be coming back anyway. Maybe in time if I ever know he’s 100% clean - but then that comes with trust issues, that exhaust me just thinking about. Anyway he didn’t try to beg, he didn’t sound bothered. I asked him if him moving into shared accommodation was a good idea, because it may make him worse, he may take more often as there will be no one watching, he might end up losing his job, etc. He said no because he was too proud to let that happen to him. Obviously not too proud to take cocaine under the same roof as your kids and being thrown out by your wife though! Angry

He said you keep texting me “how can I really love you and the children as much as I say I do, when I keep treating you so bad” he said now he keeps thinking “ maybe he doesn’t love us enough, if he can’t stop doing drugs”
that hurt like hell, I’m not gonna lie, but I think I have to remind myself that when he’s normal he’s amazing, he texts and phones me constantly telling me how much he loves me, how I’m his best friend etc this just is not him. It’s like his brain has been hijacked.

As for the whole mug thing, I don’t really regret it, from all the pain and termoil he’s caused me he’s lucky I haven’t killed him, (joking) before anyone starts. Although on reflection it’s just another sign that the relationship is growing more toxic. So I knew I couldn’t let it lye again!

OP posts:
pointythings · 01/03/2018 10:36

He's an addict. You have to detach from him because by keeping the door open for him to come back, you are enabling his addiction. He has to want to recover, he has to do the work. You cannot help him deal with his addiction, so focus on getting all the help and support you can for you.

Go and see your GP for help with safe ADs. Find a family support group for relatives of addicts - I cannot stress enough how important this is. As the soon to be ex wife of an alcoholic, I can honestly say that support has been a lifeline for me. It has helped me set boundaries and stick to them.

It is more likely than not that this will end your marriage. You need to prepare for this mentally.

As time wears on, you will probably find that his cocaine use has been far worse than even you suspected. After I ended up having my STBXH removed by the police, we found so many bottles in his bedroom - he was probably having at least double what I thought he was - and I thought he was on about 100 units a week...

Cocaine is a class A drug. There is no circumstance under which it is ok to have it in the house, especially when there are children around. Addicts are careless. Imagine what might happen if one of your children got hold of cocaine he had left accessible.

Don't worry about the mug. It wasn't great, but it was clearly a one-off and under extreme provocation. Apologise if you feel that will square things with your conscience, but don't let that lead you into letting him back in. You owe him nothing.

PipLongStockings · 01/03/2018 11:31

" I can’t come back because I’ve pushed you too far now, with the mug throwing and where will it end?”
This... An excuse that he will use and enable him to justify his decisions to himself. He will never think look what I've pushed my wife to. Addicts are incredibly selfish and manipulative. It's the world and his wife's fault, never his own.