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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:
5128gap · 11/06/2022 12:42

Your sobriety has opened your eyes. You won't be able to close them again. Unless he stops drinking, you have the choice of limping along in misery punctuated with dramatics for another few years, before you can't tolerate him anymore, or ripping off the plaster and making a new life for yourself without delay.

Thepeopleversuswork · 11/06/2022 12:43

5128gap · 11/06/2022 12:42

Your sobriety has opened your eyes. You won't be able to close them again. Unless he stops drinking, you have the choice of limping along in misery punctuated with dramatics for another few years, before you can't tolerate him anymore, or ripping off the plaster and making a new life for yourself without delay.

This.

You know what you need to do.

billy1966 · 11/06/2022 12:44

He's utter scum.

A drunken thug.

What an awful life you lead OP.

Wishing you a better future, because you really do deserve better than this.

2Hot2Handle · 11/06/2022 12:49

I’m thinking if you wanted to leave him right now, you would, so what you’re after is some alternative ideas on how to improve your situation?

It’s tricky, because the big changes need to come from him, but have you tried:

Addressing his behaviour when he’s sober by having a heart to heart with him about the drinking, drunken actions and what needs to change/what he’s willing to change?

Removing yourself from his presence when he’s drunk. Get an early night, or watch TV or Netflix in your bedroom. Use ear plugs and headphones to reduce noise if he’s shouting.

Don’t get involved in his drunken dramas. If he wants to upset the neighbours, leave him to it. Your involvement saves him from negative consequences that could help things to come to a head, so that he has to do something about the problem

Make sure you have ongoing support for your sobriety and focus on your own happiness. The more you take ownership of your own mental health, the less reliant you are on him

These aren’t instant fixes, but could make a difference to you in the long term

Momicrone · 11/06/2022 13:05

You need a life not reliant upon him, a way to pick up your grand daughter without a car? And why can't his son drive?

Momicrone · 11/06/2022 13:07

Agree with 2hot2handle, don't get involved with his drunken dramas at all, it's like dealing with a mad person

RealBecca · 11/06/2022 13:11

I’ve largely learnt to be passive when he’s drinking to avoid conflict

^^ how long are you going to live like that? I'm not going to applaud you "standing up to him". Its an unhappy relationship. If you know you wouldn't put your kids through this environment then you know it isnt healthy. Raise your standards and actually stand up to him by leaving him rather than making yourself small or having a row.

JellyBellyNelly · 11/06/2022 13:20

Well done on stopping drinking. You should be very proud of yourself.

You’re now seeing your situation in the cold light Of day so to speak and I hope it’s not much longer before you can move on to a better days for yourself and your grandchild.

But on a different note - you write really well and I think you’d be great company.

MissConductUS · 11/06/2022 13:20

He's a garden variety alcoholic. It's a progressive disease, so expect it too continue getting worse.

OP, find an al-anon group and attend a meeting. You'll find lots of people in the same boat.

You can disengage with him, but that will continue to get harder as his drinking gets worse. His drinking is really out of your control, but you can control what you do.

Good luck.

PigletJohn · 11/06/2022 13:28

sadly there is no point in trying to help a drinker, or reform them, or argue with them, or get them to change.

you can start preparing to leave now, or next month, or next year.

you will only regret the extra time.

YetAnotherNameChange111 · 11/06/2022 13:30

Is it his granddaughter too?

Trafficjamlog · 11/06/2022 13:32

Where on earth do you live where everyone is drunk and fighting every weekend?

your DH is an arse. Get out

Summersdreaming · 11/06/2022 13:48

Why are you choosing this life?

IncompleteSenten · 11/06/2022 13:58

You are absolutely NOT "as bad as each other".

You have been treading on eggshells for what? Years? Being as you say "passive" in the face of his anger.

That isn't the behaviour of someone who's 'as bad'. That's the behaviour of someone who's scared .

Now you're seeing him through sober eyes and you see his behaviour clearly and you've had enough.

That's understandable.

He's not going to change so you have to decide what you want to do.

SenselessUbiquity · 11/06/2022 14:13

I think you sound as if you are in a really horrible situation - not just your awful drunk husband but the awful drunk neighbours. No wonder you were a drinker surrounded by people you'd have to be half cut to tolerate. Get out before they all drive you to drink again.
Move somewhere nice where you can make friends with decent neighbours. Leave your husband to swill around with these awful drunk losers.

BuntyMcHooves · 11/06/2022 14:14

OP you’ve got a lot going on. Well done on your sobriety. When he’s sober, tell your OH his behaviour when he drinks is unacceptable. Think about whether you would be prepared to support him if he stops, or whether you want to leave him to it and get away from him. You need to put your own mental health first.

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 11/06/2022 14:15

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.

I'm sorry OP but I could see this coming. If it was me I would have taken the car and gone out before he did.

Dwrcegin · 11/06/2022 14:55

My word, until I got to the 25 yr old son I thought your DH was around that age.
I couldn't put up with that behaviour all the time. Well done on being teetotal.

Staffy1 · 11/06/2022 14:57

I want to know what was going on with the neighbours and what’s on their ring doorbell camera this morning. Sounds very entertaining in your neighbourhood (from a distance, probably not so much in the thick of it).

DeedlessIndeed · 11/06/2022 14:58

My parents had a similar relationship, where my mum would be passive, frantically trying to smooth out or cover up any issues to try and prevent my dad from blowing up.

I really wish my mum had stood up to my dad as these pricks need to get told. They don't act like it at work, with their friends. It's only when they've trampled down women for so long that they just expect to get away with it.

OP, I would honestly start to think if you want to live this way for the rest of your life. It's all well and good saying he's fine when not drinking, but if he drinks 2 days out of 7, that's a third of your life on tenterhooks and in misery.

CoopsMalloops · 11/06/2022 15:13

@AllHailKingLouis id cut this bell end loose.

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 11/06/2022 15:24

What is he like when he is sober? That's the time to address the issues with him, no point when he's drunk.

UniversalAunt · 11/06/2022 16:02

@AllHailKingLouis Well done on your commitment to sobriety & being tee total.
This is an important stage as you are making lasting change in your life.

Treat yourself with all the care & self-respect to protect your progress & sanity as you face everyday challenges.

Your DH is not where you were on NYD, nor has he made a commitment to tackle his dependency on alcohol & face the consequences for those around him.

Does he understand, respect & support your commitment to change your relationship with alcohol & live life free of that dependency?

If so, then your relationship stands a chance of adjustment to still be a joint partnership. He may yet recognise & commit to tackling his own alcohol dependency & boorish behaviours, but there is a chance he may if he can see the value of what you are doing. Would you wait a while for him to realise that?

If not, then it is time to recognise that you have outgrown a marriage of diminishing returns kept afloat with you both under the influence of alcohol. Now the river is not so full of booze, the boat is running aground on the mudflats. Bluntly, you are done with him.

Al-Anon for families is a great suggestion.
You’ll not be the first to be in this situation.

numberthirtytwowindsorgardens · 12/06/2022 07:44

I think the problem is less that your husband is an alcoholic (though he is), and more that he is horrible.

You deserve a happy life, OP, and you're never going to get it with him. Wish you very well Flowers

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