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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:
isthismylifenow · 01/03/2018 11:39

OP, his reply on the phone to you was manipulative. He is playing the sympathy card, bets on he was waiting for the usual reply, that he could come home and you would try fix it.... like you have done how many time over now.

Next time he might attempted being angry etc etc, you will have to try prepare for all these emotive messages, phonecalls, outbursts.

The mug.... it keeps coming up, but in the grand scheme of things, this is a minor issue. OK, so it was an out of the blue reaction, I think many of us here can say we have done things we shouldn't have/ acted out of the ordinary when put into a very difficult situation. I think he has done far worse things to you and the children.

Yes, it does look toxic OP. You have to do what has to be done now.

Backscratchesforever · 01/03/2018 11:50

I’m sorry you are going through this.

In terms of moving forward and the baby, treat it all as he is out of the picture, you are doing this alone.

He won’t change because you want him to, he has to do that himself and it’s unlikely he will. I would say the baby will add to his plate, but that is his fucking fault and he needs to get a damn grip of himself! Don’t make a choice based on his needs, cut him off and if he sorts himself out, proves it and works to repair the damage then take him seriously. Drug addicts are liars, you’ve seen it for yourself.

You weren’t violent, you’ve put up with his shit basically alone with little support, you hit breaking point, and everyone has one. One mug to the head... hopefully it will knock some sense into him. It also shows him you aren’t a doormat, well done for getting this far and for standing up for your family. A lot of women couldn’t do that.

Go it alone, it will be difficult but you can get benefits for you and the children and this will help until you are on your feet.

I would supervise all contact, request he organises a contact centre. Keep your contact to a minimum. If he can satisfy a social worker then that is a big step in the right direction. They will also comment and record his interaction with them, if he looks high he will be turned away and they will look at his presentation. All these things you can’t do right now, and it’s best to get evidence just incase.

I think it’s best for him and you to get some space, cool off, let it sink in to him that you are not doing this anymore.

Flowers
Badtimegirly · 01/03/2018 12:12

OP your last post sent shivers down my spine, addicts have a way of twisting things around and this is a classic example. You lost it one time, and he's twisted it around to make you feel guilty, according to my soon to be XDP I'm crazy, paranoid, a control freak, mentally deranged, slut, bitch you name it I'm it!

Do not bite back, wrap a massive piece of armour plating around your heart, because I feel this is the calm before the storm and you need to be prepared for a backlash.

Also do not ask him about his plans, or his future, it shows concern and it is perceived as weakness by him. Get ready for the most vile name calling and the most wicked things will come tumbling out of his ruthless mouth. I endured this last night and at the end of the tirade I simply replied thanks for that and got up to make a coffee (no wonder I couldn't sleep! I'm running on high octane caffeine)

Make sure you take care of yourself, it's a struggle I know. I've taken to taking long baths to relax down from the current situation and it does help I feel better prepared to face the next round of stunts he may try and pull.

Once you feel detached from his twisted words you will cope. Remember you didn't cause this, you had no part in his addiction, that was his decision, you did not make him do it, you did not drive him to do it, he will tell you at some point you did because he will want to blame you, that's how it will go trust me.

BrendasUmbrella · 01/03/2018 13:08

"... the mug throwing and where will it end?"

Be prepared for him to start telling people he is a victim of domestic violence...

Under these circumstances it may be an idea to make his addiction known before he starts crying to people that you are keeping him from his children.

selftitledalbum · 01/03/2018 13:09

A coke addict isn’t an amazing person and great father. Open your eyes and keep your children away from the addict.

specialsubject · 01/03/2018 13:16

So sorry. He's given you the ultimate insult , choosing drugs over you and his family. Let him plummet alone rather than taking you with him - he will only get worse.

Motoko · 01/03/2018 14:44

OP, ignore Araiwa, I've never seen them post anything supportive. They always put the OP down.

The mug throwing was unacceptable, but I completely understand it. I once punched my ex. It didn't make up for all the times he'd hit and punched me, and it felt justified at the time, but I did regret lowering myself to his standards. He made a big deal of having a bloody nose, and called the police, but after a chat with me, they offered me domestic violence support and didn't take it any further.

You need to start thinking about how you can pay the mortgage, because the likelihood of him keeping up the payments is slim.

Go to your GP and tell them what's happened, and sort out antidepressants that are safe to take now you're pregnant. You really shouldn't have just stopped taking them, you're supposed to do it gradually, so it's no wonder you've been feeling bad.

I wouldn't want him at your DD's birthday. As a pp said, get him to arrange a contact centre.

Sorry you're going through this. Take care of yourself.

Nesssie · 01/03/2018 15:38

Doing a bit of coke once a month doesnt bother.
I would be very concerned about your angry violence

I would be bothered by doing a bit of coke once in a life time, especially in a house with children.
And honestly, I'd have thrown more than a mug at him...

IrisAtwood · 01/03/2018 15:49

Under these circumstances it may be an idea to make his addiction known before he starts crying to people that you are keeping him from his children.
^^This

IrisAtwood · 01/03/2018 15:53

Also get evidence of his using - photograph any bags, stuff he uses to take the coke and try and record him admitting it. If he rings you could record him talking about his use.
Evidence will make it easier to protect your children from unsupervised or dangerous contact.
Believe me, partners will use every trick they can to keep their children and while he’s using he is not a safe adult for then to be with.

Mbshell · 01/03/2018 17:41

Thanks, yes I am collecting evidence as we speak.

Today he has hounded me that he’s selling the house as it’s dawned on him that he can’t afford much else as well as still paying our mortgage. He’s called me a fucking twat for mentioning why should I have to leave my house with my kids when none of this was my doing. I’ve had it all today. Even threatening to jump off a bridge, as I told him that everyone said I need to let him hit rock bottom. He said he already had. It’s only because the lad who’s floor he’s sleeping on has his daughter tomorrow so he will have nowhere to go. I told him to go to the council or a hostel and he got really mad saying “ why should he have to do that whilst I’m living comfortably in our house with the kids having everything paid for by him. I said tough you should have thought about all this then!

This is the first time I’ve ever seen him really angry with me. Like he HATES me, which is hard as I do love him and the thought of him doing something to himself kills me, as my nephew committed suicide at 21 partly we think due to coke. He’s also told most people that I’m a psychopath for hitting him with the mug, as it was down to him being on Facebook Grin funnily he leaves out the main part!

OP posts:
pointythings · 01/03/2018 17:45

Mbshell this is the real him. This is the man you are married to. The other one is a flimsy mask. Always remember that. Remind yourself of it when he tries to win you over by being reasonable again - because he will. Addicts are manipulative.

My abiding memory of my STBXH is of the night he told me, in a state of intense drunkenness, that he wanted to kill me. He said it twice in a period of 5 minutes. He meant it - in vino veritas. I called the police and slung him out. And didn't let him back.

Use this memory of him to build your boundaries.

CascadaClassic · 01/03/2018 20:27

There's no excuse for violence against your husband. He never raised a finger to you. You assaulted him with a dangerous hard object. I have no idea how anyone on here can excuse this.

I also find it shocking that you threw him out the house after the first time you found him using cocaine. Considering that he's a tea-total fitness fanatic, using cocaine once a month isn't exactly a terrible vice.

Obviously some sheltered Daily Mail types will shriek "OMG drugs!". For those of us who live in the real world and understand the real consequences, it isn't really a big deal for someone who lives an otherwise healthy and productive lifestyle. Drinking heavily is far more harmful to the body and the mind.

Yet you instantly used the nuclear option, chucked him out of the house, and made the situation 10 times worse. I'm not surprised that he spiraled into addiction after that, to be honest. You sound like a very controlling and hysterical person, and violent to boot!

He didn't break up your family. You did. Demonising him for his choice of recreation doesn't excuse your actions, despite what others in this thread may think.

BrendasUmbrella · 01/03/2018 20:46

it isn't really a big deal for someone who lives an otherwise healthy and productive lifestyle

I can only assume you skim-read the OP? His "choice of recreation" is what has destroyed his family.

iamjustlurking · 01/03/2018 20:49

Sorry not read whole thread as just popped by but your post caught my eye as this was my life
I kept the surprise baby. But things took huge turn when DS was 3 weeks old we lost everything he had not paid mortgage to fund his drink and coke habit I was totally oblivious
That was my break free moment long story short and loads of drama inbetween we are 14 years later 3 very messed up DC exh died suddenly 4 years ago due yo his addictions.
BUT we are doing ok I have a DP of 8 years the most amazing DC

LimonViola · 01/03/2018 21:01

There's no excuse for violence against your husband. He never raised a finger to you. You assaulted him with a dangerous hard object. I have no idea how anyone on here can excuse this.

This, I agree with. I'm disturbed by the acceptance people have shown towards this. But even more horrified by a PP claiming her violence towards her partner was an 'out of body experience reaction to hurt and stress'. People make mistakes and lash out but recognise it for what it is, domestic violence, an escalation. Don't for gods sake act as if you couldn't help yourself, like PP. That is actually sickening and a dangerous precedent we rightly wouldn't just brush over coming from a man.

Yet you instantly used the nuclear option, chucked him out of the house, and made the situation 10 times worse. I'm not surprised that he spiraled into addiction after that, to be honest. You sound like a very controlling and hysterical person, and violent to boot!

This on the other hand... just no. OP is entitled to her boundaries around drugs and if her husband wanted to change those boundaries and introduce casual drug taking into the home it's on him to discuss that with her. And her actions had NO bearing on whether he chose to keep or escalate taking drugs. He made that decision. Trying to imply OP's very natural response in throwing him out somehow contributed to his drug taking is hideous and a total abdication of his own self determination.

I'm like you btw, more open minded re drugs. But I can totally understand why people who have never taken or been around or learned much about them could freak out instantly at a class A drug, given the level of hysteria in the media and society as a whole regarding drugs.

specialsubject · 01/03/2018 21:05

I've never taken recreational drugs, not being a no life saddo. But having had to sort out a property when the dealers and users left, I have no sympathy at all.

Make beds, lie in them. Especially ones that fund crime.

CascadaClassic · 01/03/2018 21:07

I can only assume you skim-read the OP? His "choice of recreation" is what has destroyed his family.

No, her complete overreaction is what has destroyed their family.

Trying to imply OP's very natural response in throwing him out somehow contributed to his drug taking is hideous and a total abdication of his own self determination.

I am sure it contributed to his drug taking. She's already said that the stress of this situation has turned her into an alcoholic. Why wouldn't it have also had a similar effect on him?

But I can totally understand why people who have never taken or been around or learned much about them could freak out instantly at a class A drug, given the level of hysteria in the media and society as a whole regarding drugs.

So you think that ignorance is an excuse for unreasonable behaviour?

Eltonjohnssyrup · 01/03/2018 21:41

I couldn’t get past him saying he didn’t feel any love for the kids. You sound like a lovely caring Mum who’s been holding it together for them. They deserve stability so I would be saying no return unless he’s clean for a year at least.

Badtimegirly · 01/03/2018 23:54

Cascada, you have absolutely no positive input or advice to give to the original poster, had you have read the entire thread, you would have surely realised that this has been going on for at least four years.

It's a sad thing to pick on a woman who has endured this and snapped on one occasion. This lady has not gone 'nuclear' and ripped the family apart. This is a woman who has seen the light, and quite rightly her first concern is that of her children's welfare and wellbeing.

Whilst you may sit on your throne and pass judgement, in your kingdom of milk honey with the opinion it's ok to have a couple of grams of sniff on a Friday night, perhaps you should consider how living with a full on class A drug addict would be, because it is hell simply that, nothing more and nothing less.

Search in your soul for some compassion for those going through this nightmare or those who have been through it. The hardest most heartbreaking thing is watch the man you fell in love with, turn into a psychotic pathological monster who's only love is class A, and will put that before everyone and everything.

You might also want to ask yourself how you would cope if it where you in a similar situation, and don't think it could never happen to you because it can happen to anyone.

And it's hell.

CascadaClassic · 02/03/2018 00:05

She ripped apart their family long before his drug use became a problem. She discovered he was using cocaine harmlessly and responsibly, then she went nuts and destroyed their lives. He reacted poorly to that, as would anyone.

This is a problem of her own creation.

starlightafar · 02/03/2018 00:17

Please leave.
And as someone who also found out they were pregnant after a huge gap whilst their marriage was nearly over please carefully consider the realities of raising a baby before proceeding.
You cannot live or parent with a drug addict.
Your home will never be safe for your children when drugs are around. A baby could find a bag of coke, even an empty one, suck some residual powder, and die.
Have nothing to do with him until he's clean. No staying over. No sex. Very minimal contact with the kids.
This won't work.
Coke is not normal behaviour for a parent.
Please don't let your kids think that it is.

starlightafar · 02/03/2018 00:20

You shouldn't have hit him though. No excuses for that I'm sorry.

mathanxiety · 02/03/2018 00:21

Yawn...

Are you bored or something, Cascada? Snowed in?

tumblrpigeon · 02/03/2018 00:25

Using cocaine harmlessly ?
What’s that then?