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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be upset Alcoholics Anonymous helpline just laughed at me

296 replies

bellini891 · 02/09/2020 18:05

Feeling pretty upset - called them to see if they could offer any advise I could pass on to my husband and if they think it would be useful for him to call them when he finishes work tonight - for what I would say is problematic drinking ie: bingeing / not drinking daily or having a dependency.
I gave a brief summary of what's been happening - The guy asked me is he dependant and drinking everyday - which I said no he isn't so he laughed and said what are you calling Alcoholics Anonymous for ?! Lol
I said I didn't think someone had to drink daily to have a problem - so feeling pretty stupid for even calling them now - as I'm writing this my husband has just called and said he rang the number I've sent him and they said they can't help him ☹️ he's not an alcoholic -just when I felt like husband was going to address his issues around alcohol - does anyone have any suggestions of who can offer some advise on this ?

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 17:05

There's a long list of crap I've put up with -I could write a book but I've stayed because I love him and so do the children . Where as now I feel this most recent incident is the straw that broke the camels back . We've had a few rats back and forth today , I've said you're never going to stop going out for a drink and I'm ever going to trust you to be responsible going out for a drink so where does that leave us . No reply and I'm home from work now have dinner to cook , kids to bath and housework to get on with - life to get on with

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 17:06

@Howallergic I obviously have-it's been 15 years , and the last time I did he fell asleep which with a child like mine is an absolute no no

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 17:07

It was the only time I'd left him to watch them after fracturing my ankle -I'm sorry I wasn't more specific

OP posts:
Plussizejumpsuit · 03/09/2020 17:08

This is why aa is trash. People seem to think its the only recovery support because its all they've heard of. A quick Google will show what alcohol treatment and recovery is available in your area. Most clinical commissioning groups should have a service. AA does help people but in terms of support there's way better research based recovery out there. I used to work for an alcohol charity so don't have any time for the word alcoholic either. It's not helpful it doesn't have a clinical definition and what matters is if it is effecting your life.

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 17:09

He's controlling by going out whenever he feels like , most times uncontactable and leaving me to look after the kids . He's walking all over me doing what he wants when he wants as if he has no responsibilities

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 17:12

Like I'm not stressed out enough worrying if my child will ever talk or lead a normal life -I have this added stress to contend with any time he goes out for a drink which I just can't put up with anymore

OP posts:
Howallergic · 03/09/2020 17:13

Well split then. You've reached breaking point. End of. Kick him out. Tell him to go to wherever he was until 7am Saturday and he'll be fine.

Pumperthepumper · 03/09/2020 17:17

@Howallergic

Well you've never allowed him to be responsible, so how would you know? This is why I sense you're controlling!

I think this is the end of your marriage. You're totally incompatible.

You’re not psychic Howallergic - you’re just a misogynist who believes that women are always responsible for shitty male behaviour.
GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 17:33

Howallergic senses ops controller.

I sense her DH is a lazy, piss taking dickhead who doesn't pull his weight with their kids.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 03/09/2020 17:36

I've read the first two pages (sorry, don't have time for more).

Firstly, Flowers for you OP. I'm sorry you've had some unsympathetic responses on this thread and also from Al Anon. This saddens me as IME they've been wonderfully supportive and have helped many people stay sober. They've also spent hours that they didn't have to spend on the phone with me, a family member, helping me deal with my sibling's alcoholism.

The problem here is that the first of the 12 steps is recognising and admitting that you have an alcohol problem. Unfortunately that's a step the addict has to take on his or her own. No matter how much we love them and want them to get well, this is not something anyone else can do for them. It's still no excuse for AA to dismiss your concerns.

My sibling and I are the adult children of an alcoholic. I know what it's like to live with someone who has an addiction and it's no picnic, as anyone else who has tried it will testify. Of course you want him to get well, and you don't want your children to have to witness this (or, God forbid, to normalise it. My sibling is likely an alcoholic because this is what we saw as 'normal' in our home. You don't have to accept that). To suggest that this is 'controlling' is a nonsense.

Lockdown did very cruel things to my sibling's mental health, who has struggled with an alcohol problem for about the past 15 years. Usually we are talking about someone high-functioning, who has held down a job more-or-less consistently. This degenerated to a point of bed-wetting, having to be carried home, being completely insensible and not in control of their actions. It was horrific to witness and I honestly thought I was losing the only relative from my family of origin that I have left. Sibling, thank God, accepted the gravity of this problem and went through rehab, and is now 3 months into recovery (although I'm constantly panicking they might relapse).

Your DH's problem doesn't sound this serious, but I'm not convinced there are any lesser serious variations of alcoholism. It's just not progressed as far. But the only thing you can do here is accept that you can't change another person's behaviour; you can only change yourself.

I'm in family support as my sibling goes through the early stages of recovery. Our local addiction rehabilitation centre have been wonderful. I'm currently a member of their recovering families group and attend group therapy weekly via Zoom, which I'm finding incredibly helpful. If your DP won't yet seek support, there is nothing to stop you seeking some for yourself.

DM me if you need to. I'm sorry you are in this awful position (and yes, not knowing when to stop and drinking until you are insensible is very definitely an alcohol dependency).

More Flowers

GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 17:41

Op, you work?!

I don't know why but I'd gotten the impression you were a sahm.

So are you doing the majority of the childcare outside or working hours, in spite of you both working? Is it part-time?

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 17:42

Thanks me for your reply

He's gone for a pint after work so I know where I stand

OP posts:
Howallergic · 03/09/2020 17:44

Yup - it's the end of the line.

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 17:44

@GilbertMarkham yes I do -but have been furloughed until 3 weeks ago , he was furloughed April/may

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GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 17:45

It does not reflect remotely well in him that he can get nights out every month (which he takes to such an extreme) but you can't get one night out or away.

How did this come about?

You've said one time you left him in charge of them all he fell asleep so you don't trust him?

This is not normal - or at least it shouldn't be.

Both parents should be able to look after their children competently on their own.

Inkpaperstars · 03/09/2020 17:52

I think you are doing the right thing standing up to him OP.

I think at this point lean on MN expert advice about staying in your home, custody, finances etc. Maybe start a new thread. Whatever ends up happening, you need to be able to let him know you are serious and the more you know the better.

OfTheNight · 03/09/2020 18:10

I agree, get some good advice on your options if you do split. When he returns home, I’d ask him to leave and give you some space to consider how you want to proceed.

Winter2020 · 03/09/2020 18:18

Hi OP,
I have read all of your posts (although not every post in the thread).
I am sorry you are having a hard time (and it sounds from your posts like you have been given a hard time by a couple of posters maybe too). I agree with you that you are grappling with several difficult issues with your husband when you could really use his support with your children.

This struck me as important
“Quote bellini891 Wed 02-Sep-20 18:50:19
It's not my husband who doesn't think he has a problem -he's finally admitting it , but now Alcoholics Anonymous have told us he's not an alcoholic so looking for advise on where else to turn .“

You should think of it the other way around. You/your husband have told AA that your husband is not an alcoholic (or whether he is or he isn’t which is probably in the eye of the beholder) that he doesn’t want to go teetotal. You told them that - so they are not the right place. If your husband decides (or accepts?) that he is an alcoholic and that he does want to go teetotal then they become the right place.

There are definitely binge drinking alcoholics. That is not to imply that your husband is one but just for discussion. I worked with several clients with alcohol problems in a support role and while there were alcoholics who waited for the shop to open every day to go and buy cider there were also binge drinking alcoholics. The intermittent nature of the drinking didn’t stop it destroying their lives. One (very kind charismatic) man springs to mind. He could go weeks or even months without drinking and had aspirations and motivation for what he wanted to do with his life but when he drank (perhaps just popping for “one” with people that then went home) he couldn’t stop he would throw it all away going AWOL for days of binge drinking, waking up in ditches or setting fire to his kitchen accidentally.

Obviously your husband isn’t displaying these extreme behaviours but his behaviour around drink can either improve, stay the same or worsen and I think you need to discuss each scenario with him and agree what is acceptable to each of you. Whether he is an alcoholic or not is subjective but what do you want and need from him? What would you like from him and what are your red lines? What are the consequences if he crosses your red lines (if any). What would he like from himself? Is there a point where he would feel he is an alcoholic /needs to be teetotal. Can he stop drinking when he is out? Does he try? Does he think he can prove that he can? or does he need to stop going out? Not because you have told him not to go out but because he accepts he can’t stop drinking when he starts. Is drinking definitely the problem or does he use it to try and go AWOL from the responsibilities of family life? It sounds like he gets the weekend off? Does he just like being out and would stay out all night even drinking cola (still a problem but a different problem).

Are you sure drink didn’t play a part in him falling asleep when caring for your children? Does he drink at home ever/much and does he stop easily then. Does he ever drink secretly?

It sounds like he should make more effort with helping you with the kids in general too.

Lots of talking to do OP IMO.

DianaT1969 · 03/09/2020 18:38

OP, I know someone similar. She doesn't have an off switch with alcohol and will drink until every bottle is gone and stagger home. The next morning she has health issues as a result. I know her very well and she thinks her drinking enhances her life. It's her reason for going to work and earning money. She drinks most nights, but binges about once a month. Usually if she has company or is out socialising. I'm quite sure she'll never stop. Even a severe health warning wouldn't stop her. It fills a hole and is part of her identity (she wouldn't recognise herself as a non drinker). Unfortunately your husband may never stop binging, unless he abstains completely. I hope he gets some good advice.

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 19:09

He's set that I'm a dictator and I'm giving him rules , I said it's basic fucking standards when you're a married father of 2 . He said I'm making him choose between his family and having a social life , I don't cal going out u til 7am with strangers a social life -he could have come home when his friends went home .
I'm hitting my head against a brick wall -he's saying I'm out of order for being so upset about this -if it was a one off then maybe but it's not it's been going on for years and now come to a head as far as I'm concerned

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 19:11

And I'm getting the 'if you don't want me here I'll leave , if you can't accept me for who I am then I'll go' no genuine apology or recognition-he's turned now from originally being 'sorry' to not -he just stayed out late

OP posts:
Morgan12 · 03/09/2020 19:15

He is away for a pint? Seriously?

Tell him to get to fuck.

I'd be packing his bags right now I honestly would.

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 19:22

Yeah stopped after work because I 'don't want him here '

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 19:24

He's back now and laughing playing with the kids knowing full well I'm not going to make a scene in front of them -god I'm tired of this, I haven't stopped today since 6:30 am -been to work , wouldn't dream of not coming home after -then cooked 3 different dinners , cleaned up , done a load of laundry now will bath them and put them to bed in a mo

OP posts:
Sandii · 03/09/2020 19:50

I’m in AA and worked on the helpline for 5 years . I’m so sorry that you didn’t get the help you wanted l know it’s hard living with someone drinking too much even if it’s not every day . The lines are manned between 10am-10pm 7 days a week by unpaid volunteers who are in AA themselves . Sounds like you were just a little unlucky with the response you received - l’ve never heard anyone say that stuff in all the time l worked there myself . AA is an abstinence group and not intended for people who just want to cut down. It requires a degree of admitting you have a problem and going to meetings . Most people are a bit resistant to no alcohol at all or saying they’re an alcoholic ...but that shouldn’t put them off getting help. Maybe your husband could call back and give it another chance ? It’s a great help to anyone for whom drink is a problem . In 12 + years sober and l’ve never regretted it . Best of luck x

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