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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:
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7
Yogamaya · 01/10/2024 01:35

I doubt that he will change OP, maybe temporarily. It used to be out of your sight. It's an addiction for all but the strong self aware who realise that they have a problem and action sobriety.
I lived with this in my life for nearly 2 decades always hoping that he would change. Change would be temporary and half-hearted.
You either live with his addiction or leave.

Southoftheriver32 · 01/10/2024 05:59

Jesus Christ, it never ceases to amaze me how some women put up with such complete losers. What attracts you to this fine specimen of a ‘man’? 😵‍💫

Codlingmoths · 01/10/2024 06:36

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.

Can you give us an example of what might have been her part in this that she needs to change? Because I can’t come up with anything.

Rosejasmine · 01/10/2024 07:43

That’s really horrible, what a selfish and nasty way to behave.
It’s best not to try and reason with a drunk person, you’ll get nowhere apart from getting upset and frustrated. Speak to him about it when he’s sober.

Rosejasmine · 01/10/2024 07:56

Unknown987 · 29/09/2024 16:49

Update

You literally can’t reason with a drunk person, there is no point arguing or talking to him when he’s in that state because his brain isn’t working.
When you get home you have some difficult decisions to make - he won’t change unless he sees there is a problem and wants to change.

hellokittychan · 01/10/2024 08:06

I hate drunks they are fucking awful. That glassy-eyed dead look they give you /shudders And you mention giggling..,and then afterwards blanking you with AirPods in? Ugh I’m so enraged on your behalf. Unless he takes his drinking seriously and does more than just promise, then nothing is likely to change. He needs to show you he is serious through actions. Attending meetings, whatever it may be.

Soberinthecity · 01/10/2024 09:08

I’m sorry you’re going/gone through this. It’s horrible - alcohol affects everyone, not just the drinker. He needs support (AA etc) but only he can make that decision. For now just keep yourself and anyone else you need to, safe. If that means ultimatums, so be it.

Best of luck to you. As my moniker suggests, I’m a recovering alcoholic (4yrs sober this month) and it’s hell being in it but I wish I’d done it way sooner!!

MelodyFinch · 01/10/2024 09:21

Seek some advice from Al Anon for the friends a relatives of alcoholics. They will be able to give you the support and advice that you need. You cannot continue to be an enabler. It will damage you and your children. Wishing you the strength to get through this.x

40YearOldDad · 01/10/2024 10:21

As someone who grew up with an alcoholic father and later brother, who now has Korsakoff dementia, you need to decide how you're going to approach this: support and understanding*, or just it's the drink or me.

He doesn't sound like a typical alcoholic if there is such a thing. But he also doesn't sound like fun to be around when he's had a drink.

** I know this will get some stick, but if we were talking about mental health issues, we'd offer support to our partner. The first step will be your husband admitting he has a problem, which is the biggest stumbling block you'll face. I've been there and done that: I offered the AA meetings, offered to attend, and even quit drinking myself. If they don't or won't admit to an issue. that is when you need to decide on your future and what you're willing to put up with.

As for any family, yours or his, if they are willing to drop you like a hot potato over it, you have to question if they were ever really your family—blood or not. You don't need that type of person in your life.

Unknown987 · 01/10/2024 11:38

Update. Says it all really.

OP posts:
Unknown987 · 01/10/2024 11:39

Forgot to add screenshot

Husbands drunk on holiday...
OP posts:
LightSpeeds · 01/10/2024 12:12

I'm really sorry for what you're going through (I've had relationships with two alcoholics and it was awful).

My personal feeling reading all your posts is why are you putting the ball in his court? Just tell him the relationship's over. If he cares enough (and I really don't think he does), he'll make the decision to stop drinking (which, in itself, is very difficult if not impossible for most alcoholics).

Take control and stop giving him ultimatums. You're in for a lifetime of hell otherwise.

hellokittychan · 01/10/2024 12:16

Wow he chose alcohol over his family, I’m so, so sorry! 💐💐💐

Apolloneuro · 01/10/2024 12:20

I think he’s bluffing. Call his bluff and tell he he’s chosen alcohol, therefore your marriage is over and what are his plans for moving out. Are you definitely sure you can manage financially? I hope so.

PeachyPeachTrees · 01/10/2024 13:00

He has to want to change. It doesn't look like he will, so you're better off without him.

Codlingmoths · 01/10/2024 13:02

Well. He’s a single man now I hope.

PlacidPenelope · 01/10/2024 13:41

He has made the choice - alcohol means more to him than you or your children.

I am sure you will be upset and I am sorry for that but you can do this, you can move forward to a much better life without someone so selfish. Start the proceedings to end the marriage and free yourself and your children from him, let him have his love affair with alcohol alone.

PlacidPenelope · 01/10/2024 13:45

Just to add - I know it is daunting but you will find a lot of information, advice, support and hand holding on here, there are many posters who have been where you are who will willingly listen and offer help and understanding if you need it at any time of the day or night, it is an area where MN posters really come into their own.

Take care of yourself and your children, all the best to you.

Projectme · 01/10/2024 13:54

I feel so sad for you; he's chosen the drink over you and his children.

Awfeck · 01/10/2024 14:11

So sorry, op. If anything, he has at least sped up the process as you would have given him another chance, and been back to this stage again in a few months.

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 01/10/2024 16:00

OP, while I know you're probably hurting like hell after his last message, I really do think it's for the best. You deserve SO MUCH more than you're getting from the man who is supposed to love and care about you, and sadly your husband isn't capable of giving it. Will he move out, or will you? Do please keep posting so that we can continue to support you. Sending you a virtual hug.

Unknown987 · 01/10/2024 17:13

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 01/10/2024 16:00

OP, while I know you're probably hurting like hell after his last message, I really do think it's for the best. You deserve SO MUCH more than you're getting from the man who is supposed to love and care about you, and sadly your husband isn't capable of giving it. Will he move out, or will you? Do please keep posting so that we can continue to support you. Sending you a virtual hug.

I don't know what's going to happen. I told his dad that I gave him the choice and he chose alcohol. I guess so they don't blame me but the way the messages got twisted into a conversation where I should be supporting him and not leaving him and the more I talk to him about not drinking I'm pushing him to it. And that I should read men are from Venus and women are from mars.
also the fact I don't have my family has been brought up and the fact I have an answer for everything. Apparently mybhauband is not an alcoholic and I need to nag less. That's the summary. And every time I bring up he chose drink I'm being accused of wanting the last word indicating that I won't let things go.

OP posts:
FranceIsWhereItsAt · 01/10/2024 17:15

OMG! Tell the lot of them to go to hell, assuming that all you've just said came from his family, and not just him.

kittylion2 · 01/10/2024 17:39

I should be supporting him and not leaving him

Maybe his family should be supporting him (and you) by encouraging him not to drink.

The more I talk to him about not drinking I'm pushing him to it.

Nice bit of victim blaming here - his choices are his own.

The fact I don't have my family has been brought up

Victim blaming again - how dare they? You have no family so you should put up with an alcoholic husband and his abusive family?

I have an answer for everything

This is what people say when they don't have any further arguments in their favour.

And every time I bring up he chose drink I'm being accused of wanting the last word indicating that I won't let things go.

Why should you let things go - to suit him and them?

If you are such a dreadful person, why aren't they just helping you pack your bags?

cuddlebear · 01/10/2024 18:35

Block the lot of them. You need to stop caring what they think.

Onwards and upwards for you and your DC.