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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husbands drunk on holiday...

393 replies

Unknown987 · 29/09/2024 16:19

So DH booked a suprise holiday for 40th to a very romantic destination...
Has a horrible history with alcohol. I don't drink and he knows how much I hate his drink. Don't realise how bad it was until after marriage...

I ignore he drinks with friends/cousins as it's out of my face but drinking with me and kids is a no go.
he has been drinking on holiday and when I have asked him not to he always comes back with I'm a grown adult you can't tell me what to do. Which is true but it's respect for your partner. but today he drank beer after beer and is now soo pissed I don't recognise him I can't reason with him. His eyes are bloodshot, he's changed our evening plans and won't communicate with me as he's not in his full senses. He has left the resort alone and has said he knows not to do nice holidays with me in future and will only stick to family ones.
I have asked him to come to the room and sleep it off at least talk to me but he won't. He's gone for dinner and I said I wish I was at home and he said so do I (wish I wasn't there). So I came back to the room and he left.
im so hurt I'm crying.
what now?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
keffie12 · 30/09/2024 19:38

@Unknown987 Your husband has an alcohol problem. You need support. See the link I’ve attached. "It's not about how much you drink, or how often, it's what happens when you drink"

https://al-anonuk.org.uk/

Al-Anon UK | For families & friends of alcoholics

Al-Anon Family Groups are for the families & friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength & hope in order to solve their common problems.

https://al-anonuk.org.uk

Middleagedspreadisreal · 30/09/2024 19:39

I've been there. It won't get any better. You need to get out as soon as you can.

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/09/2024 19:39

Imbusytodaysorry · 30/09/2024 08:10

What help do you need?
Surely the kids family would still
be there for them ?
Surely the relationships won’t just be dropped because your husband is a drunken arse and you have decided no more ?

Depends on the husbands side of the story

the wife kicking them out is wrong

not being supportive

pepole believe other peoples lies

and in the end it’s his family

sadly life isn’t always black and white and as @Unknown987 discovered after her first divorce people take sides and people you think are friends and there to support you - aren’t

pookie999 · 30/09/2024 19:47

Please don't listen to people who say you're controlling about this man's drinking. He has behaved disgracefully and does not deserve you. I hope you have some support to help you and your children. This marriage may not end this time. But it will next time, because there will be a next time. This man cannot keep a wife, but will not kearn or take accountability. You deserve so much better and so do your children

anon666 · 30/09/2024 20:01

I am so sorry you've ended up in a marriage with an alcoholic. Please remember its not your fault. From what you're saying you could benefit from the support of a group like Al Anon. They all know exactly what you're going through.

It's not easy to simply leave someone you're married to, and have children with. It's a big decision. But while he is still drinking, he will be manipulative, gaslighting you, and undermining your confidence. He won't necessarily even be aware of it, because his "addiction" will convince him he's justified and anyone would do the same. He just will not see that what he's doing is wrong. It's denial - "Don't even know I am lying".

I wanted to add this comment for support and to say that it's not your fault. Al Anon say the 3 Cs: didn't cause it, can't control it, can't cure it.

It's his problem and unless he can quit and get help, you have to protect yourself amd your children as much as you can. 🙏

Notaregularmummy · 30/09/2024 20:02

If you see him later on in this state or he does the same tomorrow record him as subtlety as you can. Record everything from your pov and then when he’s sober show him and then ask him if he would like you to show the children and his parents that video. He will surely say no and ask him well then you are obviously embarrassed by your behaviour when drunk so why is it ok to act like that with me? Maybe seeing what he is like might shock him a little into listening

WithnailOnTour · 30/09/2024 20:06

Unknown987 · 30/09/2024 16:24

Update.
just landed back in the UK.
barely exchanged two words.
he did attempt to apologise in the morning I didn't acknowledge.

i will get back to work tomorrow and write a clear email.
he can choose the drink or me.
i am not moving out. It's his adult choice to drink
or not. But I do not stay with the drink.
he has to make the choice and communicate.

my question is what if he says me and then drinks a year down the line? Back to square one?

part of me think I should send this thread to him.

He’s always had that choice and you’ve previously asked him not to drink. And he continued.

Will asking him again change his response?

TapestryOfLifeNeedsSomeBejewelling · 30/09/2024 20:11

How awful for you OP.
The loneliness of being married to an alcoholic is immense. Keeping it secret, from children and neighbours is so stressful. Constant vigilance.
Once it’s known, you have the shame and perhaps child protection issues to face. You’re of course not the problem, but you are your children’s protector.
I know that breaking up a family is incredibly hard. Your husband may make this very difficult too. He may be lovely much of the time. How you would like things to stay like that.
Please know though, that there are no words you can say, things you can do or not do, to make him change his relationship with alcohol. He has to want to. Unfortunately so many addicts don’t, and so many suffer and die…and drag their families to the brink while they do so. It’s a terrible affliction, and there are no winners. You can only lose less, by getting yourself and your family away.

When you feel conflicted, remember how you felt on holiday. And try to get to Al-Anon - there will be people who can hear your story or tell you theirs. It will help.
Best of luck to you

pollymere · 30/09/2024 20:12

You are facilitating a bad relationship with alcohol by ignoring it. I suspect you may need to leave him for him to want to seek help.

If it's something he does rarely, then I suspect you probably need to holiday without him or agree he saves his drinking for when it doesn't affect you and the children.

Currygirl · 30/09/2024 20:16

So what would you class as "normal self"?
It sounds like he has an issue with alcohol but until he recognises it he will never change.
You need to think about your future and what you're going to do next.

Laura95167 · 30/09/2024 20:27

Unknown987 · 29/09/2024 16:19

So DH booked a suprise holiday for 40th to a very romantic destination...
Has a horrible history with alcohol. I don't drink and he knows how much I hate his drink. Don't realise how bad it was until after marriage...

I ignore he drinks with friends/cousins as it's out of my face but drinking with me and kids is a no go.
he has been drinking on holiday and when I have asked him not to he always comes back with I'm a grown adult you can't tell me what to do. Which is true but it's respect for your partner. but today he drank beer after beer and is now soo pissed I don't recognise him I can't reason with him. His eyes are bloodshot, he's changed our evening plans and won't communicate with me as he's not in his full senses. He has left the resort alone and has said he knows not to do nice holidays with me in future and will only stick to family ones.
I have asked him to come to the room and sleep it off at least talk to me but he won't. He's gone for dinner and I said I wish I was at home and he said so do I (wish I wasn't there). So I came back to the room and he left.
im so hurt I'm crying.
what now?

INFO: is this standard behaviour when he's drunk?

If this is a one-off and you just ask him not to drink with you around because you don't drink he's right he's a grown up and it's unreasonable to push your preferences on him. I don't think its reasonable to insist a partner to change something just because they should respect your feelings on it. Men have been doing this to control women for years and I don't like it either way.

However if it's standard he drinks too much and gets nasty and hurtful and doesn't communicate and can't control the alcohol when he drinks you need to wait til he's sober and talk about how he is addressing this because if this is how he is with alcohol I wouldn't tolerate it twice

abracadabra1980 · 30/09/2024 20:30

Unknown987 · 29/09/2024 16:45

He can go months without drinking. And then he will have a party/bbq/lads weekend where he will drink and he's gone. He's not allowed in the home during his drinking days as I dnt recognise him. He's moody and ratty afterwards for days.
but it all starts with one...

Cocaine? Causes wicked mood wrongs when they're coming down. Also used so that alcohol doesn't affect them too badly.

Tartantotty · 30/09/2024 20:51

I'm so sorry. He desperately needs help and you need to take care. Perhaps best to let him find his way home, don't pander to him.

A serious chat is needed when he's sober.

cuddlebear · 30/09/2024 20:57

I don’t really understand the point of giving him a choice.

Sure he will just do what he’s always done? He will say he chooses you, but carry on drinking…

Mumof2girls2121 · 30/09/2024 21:24

Addiction isn’t always a stop immediately process, he has to want to stop drinking and if these episodes are infrequent you might find he wants to stop, see if he will try AA?

Allthehorsesintheworld · 30/09/2024 21:53

Don’t bother trying to work out how much he drinks, what he drinks, why he drinks. He has a problem with alcohol and alcoholics are devious. They’ll lie, deflect, hide bottles, do anything to not admit they’re an alcoholic.
Look after yourself and your children. Protect your money, property, anything of value. Protect your children from the effects of his drinking, even if it means divorcing him. Growing up with an alcoholic parent is very damaging.
You can contact Al Anon https://al-anon.org
You can also try this as if you were your husband https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/drinking-check?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD6vynz78X_pRZayR8UBM9GMY3KqT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI67i0hcbriAMV9qVQBh0cUgcpEAAYASAAEgJ1NfD_BwE#/overview

Al-Anon Family Groups

Who Are Al-Anon Members? Al-Anon members are people, just like you, who are worried about someone with a drinking problem. Family members have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have faced similar problems. Read More Teen...

https://al-anon.org

PepaWepa · 30/09/2024 22:01

Unknown987 · 29/09/2024 16:52

Is it me?? I'm I just boring?

No and don't let him gaslight you into thinking it's you. If alcohol is an existing issue for him/you/the marriage, you're going to be triggered by his drinking, no matter the circumstances. He doesn't respect that and has left you upset and alone on holiday.

PepaWepa · 30/09/2024 22:02

Just realised I'm very late to the party lol. Will catch up on rest of thread

NannaKaren · 30/09/2024 22:24

He sounds like an alcoholic - only he can stop - pig
sorry he has put you thru this - he needs to recognise it in himself or he won’t stop.
when home - serious talk before he starts drinking.
you may have to go to our separate ways.💔

VeriD · 30/09/2024 22:35

Or he has other issues that have surfaced? Personal, work or the relationship? Looks like a cry for help on one of those fronts to me… s**t or bust shoot him self in the foot situation… people drink for a reason you just need to look for it objectively and compassionately, hard when you are stone cold sober and taking the higher ground but you must know him deep down and must have an idea as to what this is all about? Life, work, family, relationship? If you don’t then end it because you maybe should have an idea at this point? If you don’t that could be the cause of his behaviour? Were there no warning signs before your trip? Who organised it? Sorry and truly good luck to you both x

SoMuchBadAdvice · 30/09/2024 23:01

Such a sad way to end what should have been a lovely holiday, but also what a dreadful discussion.

OP - what is your objective?

I get that a couple of nights ago you were upset (understatement), distraught, & on your own. Coming here was probably the only way to get the anonymous support you badly needed. I hope that you felt that you got it, and it saw you through such a dreadful night.

But 2 days later you need to realise that most of the replies that you got were from people motivated by their own story, their history not yours. What you need now is the answers that apply to you and to him, not the ones that apply to some other remote couple with other issues. Some of the advice that you got was good, some was downright awful - please take your own path.

Please be clear about what you want to achieve, if you want a grovelling apology and to rub his nose in it, then go for it, but be clear about the objective. If you want things to carry on as they were before this disaster, then be clear that this is an acceptable outcome. If you want to make a life change to ensure the success of your marriage then accept that you both need to acknowledge what happened, you both need to acknowledge your own part in it, and you both need change together. If you cannot carry on from this point then start trying to make a success of a separation - this will be just as daunting a challenge as any of the other options.

Whichever path you take, please try to get as much help & support as you can.

I expect to draw some flack for saying "accept that you both need to acknowledge what happened, you both need to acknowledge your own part in it, and you both need change together". Clearly you are a victim in the story as presented, and so it seems very unfair that you are asked to shoulder an equal burden in solving a problem not of your making. This comes back to your objective. Only you know your hopes and expectations for this relationship when you got married, and how much it was worth fighting for. My guess is that you were committed, and meant it when you said:

to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part

This is clearly a "Sickness and Health" moment. You are at a crossroads with no easy choice, but I send you best wishes for whichever path you choose.

Dibbydoos · 30/09/2024 23:16

Your DH is either an alcohol abuser or an alcoholic by the sounds of it.
One way or another he needs to stop or it will kill him.

IMO you have 2 options, try to help him by staying with him or try to help him by leaving him.

I'm so sorry, it's not really a choice, but for your sanity and wellbeing and for it not to affect your DCs, you have a Solomon's choice to make.

Sending a hug xxx

Kjpt140v · 30/09/2024 23:23

Go and pull on your last night.

AnnOtherLife · 30/09/2024 23:45

Oh dear. Such a shame. I'm sure he didn't actually plan to be a twat. Alcohol can have a very bad effect on anybody who is potentially suffering with alcoholism. He sounds like he needs help, if he wants it, when you get back to the UK. I expect he'll be ashamed of his behaviour tomorrow. Very sad for you both & I wish you a safe trip home

IDoWaffleOnABit · 01/10/2024 00:50

Can you get a video of how looks and his behaviour to show him when he's sober which hopefully might shock him into realising what a twat he has been and that you are not exaggerating

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