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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH and alcohol. Sober me blew up last night

124 replies

AllHailKingLouis · 11/06/2022 08:20

So many parts to this story I don’t know where to start.

ive been sober since New Year’s Day. I now consider myself teetotal. DH however has continued drinking heavily on a weekend. He is not a nice person when he drinks, it starts with him shouting and arguing with the TV and then he tends to turn on me being argumentative, sarcastic, cocky, passive aggressive and animated. He’s been the same throughout our marriage but because I used to drink too my memories of “last nights argument” was often hazy and he’d gaslight me into thinking it was my fault. Since I became sober I’ve realised it’s all him.

so, last weekend he caused upset (not an argument as I’ve largely learnt to be passive when he’s drinking to avoid conflict) by totally taking over the TV and putting on cunting Jools Holland twice when he knew I wanted to watch a film and knowing full well I can’t stand Jools Holland.

Then we get to this weekend. We have a social event today that I have been nervous and anxious about all week. I’m neurodiverse. I had previous asked him not to cock it up by faffing around today so that we’re late etc or him deciding he can’t come. he promised me all would go smoothly.

He then tells me he’s going on a night out on Friday (last night). I remind him about the event today (he’s previously cancelled plans with me due to hangover). He promised me all plans would go to plan. I also told him not to be an arsehole when he gets home because quite frankly I’m fucking sick of it every weekend. He promises me he won’t.

so he gets home drunk and disappears into the garden. I go see what he’s upto and he’s peering over the fence eyeballing the also very drunk man next door saying “what is this dickhead doing staring at our house” 😱 I explain that whilst he was out a fight/argument took place next door and now he’s stood guard on the front door trying to stop his wife getting out and getting into another fight with the locals. DH becomes all animated and starts spouting off bullshit about how they only started misbehaving because he was out. I assured him that I doubt that even knew he was out or gave a shit 🙄

we gets back in the house and he keeps banging on about it asking what happened and what were they doing. I told him they’d knocked on our door earlier but none were making any sense as they were all very drunk so I have no idea but it was none of our business. He turn says “I’m going to go out there and get my arse out in front of their door”. I say “ha, yeah ok” not believing he was being serious. He was being serious and marched outside and stood in front of their ring doorbell doing god knows what. Mortified I drag him back inside and tell him to stop causing trouble.

he goes on and on about it before telling me that he’s arranged to pick his 25 year old son up tomorrow (today) and give him and lift to his mates. I say “remember about the even planned?” And he said “yeah I can do both”. I say “well what time are you picking him up?” And he says “12”. I say “well that’s not going to work is it as we need pick (granddaughter) up at 12:15 as has been arranged all week”. He says “we can do both”. I said “we can’t get across town in 15 minutes, you promised me you wouldn’t faff around tomorrow”. He raises his voice and says “no! You’re making a drama out of it, there is no need for a drama yet you make a drama” and gets all animated with his arms. I snap. I mean I properly snapped and shouted not to speak to me like shit just because he’s had a drink and I’m fucking sick of him being an absolute cock everytime he drinks, I’ve had enough!

he’s visibly shocked that I’ve finally stood up for myself and shuts up. 5 minutes later he says “so am I telling my own son that I can’t give him a lift tomorrow then?”

I say calmly “tell him you’ll have to pick him up earlier as we need to be somewhere by 12:15”.

He says “so I’m telling him I can’t do it because you said so?”

I say “as I just said, you’d need to pick him up earlier”.

he says “you said I’m not allowed to do it so I’ll tell him that?”

I blow up again and shout at him not to try and fucking gaslight me because it won’t work. My suggestion was perfectly reasonable and clear and if he wishes to deliberately misunderstand then that’s on him, not me.

he does a daft thing with him arms and says “ooo I’m scared!”. He’s 51.

I continue trying to watch tv and he tries to shove his phone in my face as he wants me to see the message from his son. I shout “get that phone out of my face”. He gives up and stomps off to bed.

Im not been unreasonable to be fucking livid am I?

OP posts:
ArtVandalay · 11/06/2022 11:25

That sounds like an awful relationship. Do you actually like each other?

sandragreen · 11/06/2022 11:33

Surely you would be so much happier without this idiot?

Andouillette · 11/06/2022 11:34

KettrickenSmiled · 11/06/2022 10:59

But @StepAwayFromGoogling - OP has committed the cardinal sin of not presenting as a frail, overcome victim, so a few PP are finding it hard to understand. They don't know how to square the circle of dealing with anyone who isn't the Perfect Victim, so instead of addressing their own empathy & comprehension issues, they project the discomfort back & slip into a nice easy bit of victim blaming.
Of particular merit is the PP who opines "how embarrassing for you both" as if OP is responsible for her H making a twat of himself.

OP - ignore the school prefects who came her to act all superior about a situation they can't comprehend. Anyone who's lived under the same roof as a drunk knows exactly what you are going through. Brew Cake

Thank you. Three rousing cheers for your blast of common sense! In my experience a spouse trying to 'support' an alcoholic is doomed to failure. I can only assume that some PPs have no experience of this whatsoever!

Kangaruby · 11/06/2022 11:45

You don't need any reason or permission to leave a relationship, you wanting out is all that is needed. Don't make the mistake of imaging your partner how you want him to be but go by how he actually is. He sounds like a nightmare and you don't sound happy, don't waste any more of your time on him, you deserve happiness and peace

Nicolarer · 11/06/2022 11:48

Take alcohol.out of the equation. How do you get on when you both are sober?

ManateeFair · 11/06/2022 11:49

He’s an alcoholic, yes. But he’s also just a cunt. Sounds like he’s horrible when he’s sober as well.

YetAnotherNameChange111 · 11/06/2022 11:52

@KettrickenSmiled well put

amitoooldforthisshit · 11/06/2022 11:54

the fact you don't like Jools Holland instantly makes this all your fault

TwinklingFairyLights · 11/06/2022 12:02

Sounds like my ex OP. It fell apart when I stopped drinking. He was the sloppy, argumentative drunk and I only ever drank a bit but it was enough for me to put up with him. I quit booze and the scales fell off my eyes.

9 months later, he's worse. A scruffy, smelly drunk and I've lost 10 lbs and exercise every day.

StooOrangeyForCrows · 11/06/2022 12:05

So what does he bring to your life that is good and positive?

Get your ducks in a row and get the fuck out of this ghastly relationship. Let some other poor bastard have a go at making into a normal human being.

Sometimes a person has to choose a less ambitious project.

AllHailKingLouis · 11/06/2022 12:07

12:06 and I’m still at home stuck without a car. Fucker got what he wanted in the end. I’ve had to ring and say I’ll be late picking granddaughter up.

OP posts:
Motnight · 11/06/2022 12:08

Op this relationship is toxic.

DurhamDurham · 11/06/2022 12:12

Take alcohol.out of the equation. How do you get on when you both are sober?

When alcohol plays such a large part it isn't possible to take it out of the equation, it's always there. Either reeling from the last blow out or worrying about the next one. Totally toxic and the sooner Op is out of it the better.

Whooshaagh · 11/06/2022 12:19

So your dh is driving when probably over the limit?
And you’re putting up with this. I’d leave.

Notanotherwindow · 11/06/2022 12:25

I'd honestly dump him. Idk maybe I just have too high standards but I wouldn't put up with this shit. Second time it happened he'd be gone.

MushyPeasPrincess · 11/06/2022 12:26

I agree with @KettrickenSmiled that all the victim blamers putting this on you can go fuck themselves - they've conveniently ignored the part where this is the FIRST time you've ever snapped back!

And that you are neuro diverse so may struggle even more with relationship difficulties?. Some posters just live to batter down an OP no matter what.

Well done on your sobriety. That is awesome.

Now it's time to think about whether you can continue in this relationship or whether it's come to an end due to HIS behaviour. HIS not yours.

Blinkingbatshit · 11/06/2022 12:27

Who does the car belong to? You need to get out of this relationship - he sounds utterly vile.

gamerchick · 11/06/2022 12:30

OP make this the last time he messes with your head. Your tipping point.

He's always going to do this stuff, mess with your head and being ND, this sort of stuff really stresses a person out when it's unavoidable.

When you get rid I guarantee, you'll find a peace inside yourself you didn't know existed.

whynotwhatknot · 11/06/2022 12:30

What happened this morning when he got up did he remember anything

MushyPeasPrincess · 11/06/2022 12:32

If he's driving right now, and you think he could still be over the limit, I'd report him to police as a potential drunk driver, give car ref and where he's likely to be. He could be a danger to others as well as himself.

I lost a relative to a drunk driver who got away with barely a scratch (my relative was a pedestrian hit when they mounted the pavement). Can't bear the arrogance of people who drive next day not caring if they are impaired.

MushyPeasPrincess · 11/06/2022 12:33

Car reg not ref obviously. Still no edit button!

TwinklingFairyLights · 11/06/2022 12:35

MushyPeasPrincess · 11/06/2022 12:32

If he's driving right now, and you think he could still be over the limit, I'd report him to police as a potential drunk driver, give car ref and where he's likely to be. He could be a danger to others as well as himself.

I lost a relative to a drunk driver who got away with barely a scratch (my relative was a pedestrian hit when they mounted the pavement). Can't bear the arrogance of people who drive next day not caring if they are impaired.

I've done this numerous times and the police do fuck all.

fossilsmorefossils · 11/06/2022 12:35

He doesn't care at all about what's important to you, why on earth are you still with him?

TwinklingFairyLights · 11/06/2022 12:36

When you get rid I guarantee, you'll find a peace inside yourself you didn't know existed.

This has been my experience. Although the first few months were tough.

MushyPeasPrincess · 11/06/2022 12:41

@TwinklingFairyLights I'm sorry to hear that, I know the police are ridiculously over stretched and have to prioritise where their very limited resources go.

maybe the OP will be in an area with a traffic car out on a Saturday morning, it's worth a try if it removes one more drunk off the roads.