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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask him to leave?

19 replies

Summerdune · 28/02/2025 18:35

Long story short, been with my partner for 8 years and have two children together, stayed with him when he slept with his sons mum at the start of our relationship (I know I should have left him then but I was naive and only 20), but also supported him through drug addictions and alcoholism, he also got banned for drink driving after a crash, which I found absolutely horrendous that he would do such a thing and was just so so so grateful that it was just his vehicle involved. The alcoholism was around 4 years ago and lasted for 2 years before I gave him the ultimatum of if he doesn’t give it his all to sort it out then he needs to leave - he was a nasty drunk (not physically, just incredibly argumentative and spiteful) so I was beyond exhausted from it and the effect it was having on not just me but our children. Within this ultimatum, I said that I wanted him to go to the gym to prove he was going to work on himself and give him something to focus on and decrease the chances of him slipping back (he needed it because of the constant need for stimuli). Anyways, he did it and gave it his all which I was proud of him for. He’s now two years in and has hardly touched a drop of alcohol or any other substances since - again, very proud of his commitment to it!
The issue now comes from the fact that this incredibly addictive personality he has, has taken over to the point he has admitted that he is now taking testosterone. His priority is fully the gym, which again I wouldn’t mind, however this testosterone has just changed who he is as a person. He is grumpy 6 days out of 7, and so defensive. He wants sex all the time and when he doesn’t get it he is horrible. I feel I am constantly walking on eggshells and he is always snapping at the kids for minor things. I’m just exhausted that there is always something that he does which the rest of us have to suffer for. Not to mention the effect that it will be having on his heart when he already has a pacemaker at the age of 36 from the damage he has done from other addictions.

Tonight I have found myself giving him another choice, to stop the testosterone or to have to leave. Am I unreasonable for this? He’s making out like I am being unfair because if he stops then it is going to effect his mental health, but my argument is the fact that how he currently is, is effecting my mental health.

It is so difficult because when he isn’t clouded by all these addictions, he’s actually a really good guy and our relationship is amazing. He just lets these demons take over and it turns to crap.🙁

OP posts:
Goodadvice1980 · 28/02/2025 18:40

OP, he really isn’t a really good guy.

You’ve hitched your wagon to guy who is capable of cheating, a drink-driver, an alcoholic, an abusive partner, a lousy father and now a steroid/testosterone addict.

Ask yourself if this is what you really want for the rest of your life.

PashaMinaMio · 28/02/2025 18:41

Don’t let him drag you and the kids down into his abyss of self destruction. He is of an addictive type so will probably never change and you will waste yet more of your decency and life on him.

For your children’s sake get out now whilst you can see the wood for the trees.

YesHonestly · 28/02/2025 18:42

You’ve already wasted 8 years of your life. Don’t waste anymore.

Kitkatfiend31 · 28/02/2025 18:45

There will always be something. Leave him now before you are mixed up in his next addiction.

IsitaHatOrACat · 28/02/2025 18:46

If he does give up testosterone then next it will be something else he's addicted to.
He's not showing you respect, care or love. Throw him back and get on with the rest of your life without a sexpest in it

Summerdune · 28/02/2025 18:48

Thank you everyone. I guess I already knew the answer, I just needed it confirming that I wasn’t an awful person for it. X

OP posts:
Devianinc · 28/02/2025 18:48

Testosterone makes for nasty men and they don’t see it. He has to quit or you need to get him out of there.

HaNNaHC92 · 28/02/2025 18:51

He's always going to be an addict. Hell stop one thing and just move onto another. It'll never change. Leave, and make yours and your children's lives better.

FOJN · 28/02/2025 18:54

In 8 years he's been unfaithful, abused drugs and alcohol to the extent he needs a pacemaker, lost his driving licence and is now taking testosterone which makes him an unpleasant sex pest.

I'm struggling to see the good guy or great relationship here and there are now two children dragged into the shit show.

You can give him as many ultimatums as you like, he won't change, this is who he is.

DorothyStorm · 28/02/2025 19:00

Goodadvice1980 · 28/02/2025 18:40

OP, he really isn’t a really good guy.

You’ve hitched your wagon to guy who is capable of cheating, a drink-driver, an alcoholic, an abusive partner, a lousy father and now a steroid/testosterone addict.

Ask yourself if this is what you really want for the rest of your life.

This. Why choose this for your children?

Sassybooklover · 28/02/2025 19:08

Your partner can absolutely go to and enjoy the gym without using steroids, and for him to imply otherwise is insulting, you're not stupid, and he's treating you as if you are. Yes, he's given up alcohol but now instead he's switched to steroids, which are a drug. It's not cocaine or heroin but it's still a drug, that he's become dependent upon. Has he ever sought any professional therapy for the alcohol and drug addictions, he had in the past? Without getting to the root cause of his need to drink or take drugs, then nothing is actually being solved. People don't suddenly wake up one morning and decide to become a drug addict or alcoholic - something triggers the addictions. Honestly, the relationship sounds utterly exhausting, and I'm not sure what exactly you're getting out of it.

Lionwoman · 28/02/2025 19:10

The ultimatum he needs is to seek professional help for his addictions. It’s too
much responsibility for you alone to continue trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. You sound so kind and supportive however as you already know, long term this situation will severely impact your mental health and well being and could lead to physical abuse as well as further emotional and mental abuse. None of this is fair on you or your children. He sounds like he was doing really well and it takes strength of mind to refrain from continuing being an alcoholic, so well done to him. However he does need to seek professional help to prevent further addictions for the sake of you and your children. It’s not easy breaking up when you love each other and have a home together and children. You need to seek help to find out your rights and financial help that you are entitled to. Plan for your future. This situation must be so scary and distressing for you and your children. Have you got any family you can turn to for support xx

Lionwoman · 28/02/2025 19:18

Summerdune · 28/02/2025 18:48

Thank you everyone. I guess I already knew the answer, I just needed it confirming that I wasn’t an awful person for it. X

Bless your heart, you are definitely NOT an awful person. Xx

TwinklyOrca · 28/02/2025 19:34

Summerdune · 28/02/2025 18:48

Thank you everyone. I guess I already knew the answer, I just needed it confirming that I wasn’t an awful person for it. X

It won’t be just testosterone he’s using causing the awful moods, it’s the anabolic steroids, one is called tren - it is truly horrific. I’d get out before it gets worse.

ERthree · 28/02/2025 19:49

Neither you or your children need this. Please tell him to leave, you have tried and tried but he will never have respect for you or put his family first. You can do this.

Devianinc · 28/02/2025 22:03

FOJN · 28/02/2025 18:54

In 8 years he's been unfaithful, abused drugs and alcohol to the extent he needs a pacemaker, lost his driving licence and is now taking testosterone which makes him an unpleasant sex pest.

I'm struggling to see the good guy or great relationship here and there are now two children dragged into the shit show.

You can give him as many ultimatums as you like, he won't change, this is who he is.

I thought testosterone made men’s balls shrivel up. Hahahaha

Endofyear · 28/02/2025 22:59

I voted YABU because I don't think you issuing another ultimatum is going to make a difference and your children have been through enough. When are you going to wake up and face the truth? He's an addict. He will always be an addict. If you stay with him, you'll just be waiting for the next addiction. And your children will be caught in the fallout.

Rainbow1235 · 28/02/2025 23:09

he sounds so much like my daughters ex partner . Trust me no matter how much help and support u give him he will never ever change . Walk away now with your head held high as peaple like this as much as Mayb they want to change they won’t , my daughter was a confident bubbly 21 year old and now she’s almost 30 with a child and her anxiety is thru the roof . It’s sad 😞

FlamboyantlyIncognito · 24/05/2025 18:23

Get rid.

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