Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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 19:59

@Sandii thanks x

OP posts:
GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 20:08

He's set that I'm a dictator and I'm giving him rules

No, as you've said you're asking for basic standards - for reasonable behaviour.

GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 20:10

He said I'm making him choose between his family and having a social life

You're correct again.

Plenty of people have a social life, without staying out all night, continuing even when their friends have gone home and being too fucked the next day to contribute to family life.

GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 20:15

And I'm getting the 'if you don't want me here I'll leave

No, you want him to stop binge drinking to excess, staying out til the sun's up, you not knowing who he's with or if he's safe, and being too hungover and tired to do anything but lie in bed while you do all the family stuff the next day on your own.

if you can't accept me for who I am then I'll go

Who he is is not really coming across as a decent partner or father who pulls his weight.

He's s right for, isnt he "back down, take what I give you, take me "as I am" or I'm gone .. while you're left with kids I gathered in your own, one with sn.

He's either trying to manipulate you to back down a d get back in your box or hrs happy to take the opportunity to run away from family life.

JustHavinABreak · 03/09/2020 20:15

You know maybe he really does need to know what it's like without you. I'm never part of the LTB brigade but he's depending on you enabling his behaviour. I don't mean that in any way to attribute blame. I just mean that he expects you to roll over once more and pick up the pieces the next time he decides to opt out of marriage and fatherhood with no notice. Maybe a break for a while would be a good idea. If it doesn't shake him into reality then nothing will. It's NO life for you and your kids.

GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 20:16

*he's a right fucker, isn't he

GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 20:20

Maybe a break for a while would be a good idea.

The way this is going, I'm wondering if he'll actually be glad to play bachelor a d opt out of marriage and family life.

While blaming op fir throwing him out because she's controlling, doesn't want him to have a social life/any enjoyment, is uptight etc etc.

The extremely galling thing about these situations is that if op becomes resident parent (which it's very obvious she will in this case because he's neither willing nor "capable" to look after his own kids) she can't make him see or spend time with the kids at all - noone can force him to. The only thing she can do is try to get child maintenance.

TheSoapyFrog · 03/09/2020 20:23

I've been where your husband is now. I went to a local drug and alcohol dependency service and it wasn't helpful. They're only really geared up for proper addicts. I didn't really consider myself as having a problem as I wasn't dependent- I could go weeks without a drink. They are also reluctant to help you if you don't want to stop altogether. The mantra was "if you don't have one, you can't have 6".
He's unlikely to receive any help if he doesn't recognise he has a problem off his own back, not because it's been put to him by loved ones. And he has to want to stop.
I try to avoid going on boozy nights out now because I know I lose control. But I have got to the stage where I can go out for a meal or lunch and not end up binging.
If he's no longer admitting he has a problem and wants to get help, there's not much you can do. Saying he can't do this or that leads to him doing it on the sly. If he does want help, the GP is the best place to start.

GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 20:35

Op from the beginning of this thread I suspected that your he's monthly binges and all nighters were as much about his character as a drink problem.

During the thread you've said you've put up with a lot from him (or words to that effect), but stayed because you live him and your kids do; which sadly didn't surprise me.

It also became clear during the thread that he gets free time away from the family/kids while you do not, that he has looked after them on his own once (?) when you broke an ankle, and fell asleep when he was supposed to be awake looking after them/watching out for them.
That is pretty fucking dire.

It sounds like he barely pulls his weight with your kids in spite of you working outside the home as well (not sure if PT or ft).

As is often the case in threads the op.posts about one issue but a big back story/context of generally shit behaviour comes out.

He sounds quite minimally engaged in family life; it's ridiculous that a father can't (won't) look after his own children whether one had SN or not. You seem to be expected to bear the burden of everything family-wise in your shoulders. You don't even get nights out, while he sleeps all day after his nights out.

I suspect he cant really be arsed with family life but as long as you do nearly everything and keep your little mouth shut, he'll.go along with it. After all he gets to confirm to society's norms of having the wife and kids, being a family man, probably gets his meals cooked, his house cleaned, his laundry done, his admin done etc.

But if you give any "hassle" he's, under the surface, so uninvested and selfish that he'll walk .. and use any excuse he can to blame you. I could be wrong but I don't get the impression he was ever very invested in a marriage and family.

What were the issues you've had but stayed with him in spite of?

GilbertMarkham · 03/09/2020 20:38

(Aside from the monthly binges/all nighters/heading off with strangers/days in bed after).

AlexanderHalexander · 03/09/2020 20:40

What on earth does he bring to your life, OP?

JustHavinABreak · 03/09/2020 20:52

@GilbertMarkham

You're right. I think he will be glad. But the position I'm coming from is that once the initial raw hurt eases, he will be one less thing to draw on the OP. He certainly doesn't seem to add much to her life. No help, no support, no back-up, no sense of there being two of them in this together. He is about him, his needs and his life first. If that works for family, fine. If it doesn't, fine.

And kids know. My God they know and it affects them forever

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 21:31

@GilbertMarkham hey thanks for taking the time to post and really you've hit the nail on the head with a lot of it . Yes maybe he's just not as invested as he could be , maybe I pressured him to get married back along . It does feel like he's a passenger and I'm driving juggling everything - btw I work part-time , ish could have gone full time and been made partner but need to balance family life : work etc . You know how it goes.
I've just got them to bed -it's taken an hour , he's downstairs. He asked me in the bathroom before I took them to bed what do I want -do I want him ? And I said no not if you're going to have a negative impact on my life - he said he'll change so we're back here again between a rock and a hard place . He's got the life of fucking Riley really . Issues have always been around the drink -it's the common thread to all of our fallouts , like I said I could write a book . I've got good support behind me tho with family and friends (who don't know the half of it) so I know that if this all goes down the toilet I'll be fine . My ducks are already in a row . Thanks everyone this thread has helped reaffirm what I already knew . I'm strong and I'm capable , I don't need him so if he can't be a positive in my life he's going to have to go xxx

OP posts:
Shutupyoutart · 03/09/2020 21:36

Hi op. Firstly im sorry that you were laughed at by AA that's a disgusting way to treat someone asking for help im appalled for you. Secondly i think there are a few posters who dont quite understand alcoholism. My mother is an alcoholic, she was tea total for 10 years she was still an alcoholic, she was an alcoholic when she fell off the wagon 2 years ago, she still is now. She can go weeks sometimes abstaining and always goes back to it again. If he could just have one or two drinks and that be it im sure op wouldnt be so concerned but he cant do that. He gets blind drunk once a month to the point he's staying out all night and leaving op with young children one of whom has additional needs. Op im sorry it sounds tough. I wish i had advice for you but unfortunately only your husband can do it for himself no one else and if he's not ready to stop then he won't. Have him read allen carrs easy way to control alcohol it really helped my mum and she was off the drink for a 10 years. It may ring some bells for him. I hope he gets the help he needs and also that you do. Sounds like a tough time for you.wishing you all the best x

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 21:57

@Shutupyoutart thanks 💕

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 03/09/2020 22:33

He asked me in the bathroom before I took them to bed what do I want -do I want him ? And I said no not if you're going to have a negative impact on my life - he said he'll change so we're back here again between a rock and a hard place .

You're only between a rock and a hard place if you believe him. You don't have to sit around to see if he will let you down again.

It's your choice. What are you waiting for?

bellini891 · 03/09/2020 22:51

I feel like such a fool for considering believing him - and I wish I didn't love him 😔

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 22:52

I'm staying away from him for now trying to clear my head a bit -it's the weekend in a minute and I'll be taking a back seat and making a conscious effort to do less for everyone . The kids can sense something is up and are all over him

OP posts:
bellini891 · 03/09/2020 22:54

Also to add that next week when the kids go back I'll have my first day on my own since March -I think this will be a massive help to have some time out and clarity without interruption or distractions , until 3:15pm anyway all being well . What will probably happen is I'll get a phone call after half an hour 😣

OP posts:
AllsortsofAwkward · 03/09/2020 23:02

:53Bluntness100

I suspect he’s just agreeing with you op that he has a problem, He goes out once a month on the lash with his mates and gets drunk. I think I understand why AA laughed.

It’s not great behaviour granted but it’s not alcoholism.

Personally I don’t think he does have a problem. I think he’s going out and having a great time and doesn’t want to stop and come home

100 percent agree with Bluntness.

Rumbletumbleinmytummy · 03/09/2020 23:13

I know a few people who actually got sober through AA.
Ome of which was attending meetings when his relationship with drink was like your husbands, then continued whilst his drinking spiralled to a point where he couldnt get through a day without drinking.
For them to have laughed at you is fucking horrific, and I'm shocked given that even people with food addictions can attend AA meetings.
Please tell him to continue trying, also local addiction services are great.

My dad is also a recovering alcoholic, his relationship was completely different to mine, but I remember him telling me at 17, Rumble you're an addict. You need to listen to me before it gets really out of hand.
At the time I was just really enjoying myself, so I thought. But the way I was drinking was reckless, I hurt myself repeatedly whilst drunk. I was always the most drunk, I'd drink quicker and longer than anyone else. I wore it like a badge of honour, but people would never drink with me again because I wasnt the life and soul of the party I thought i was. It was sad and embarrassing to the people who were with me.
Now I dont drink at all, but I directly swapped alcohol with food and ballooned to over 23 stone.
If you dont feel like posting your area I understand but I know people in a few different areas who may be able to help support DH. One is in AA and has been strong in his recovery for about 12 years, and the other volunteers as a counsellor with addiction services and hasn't had a drink in 17 years.

I do hope that your family get the support you need

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.