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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband stopping drinking out the blue - selfish to be annoyed?

121 replies

PollyPocketer · 24/04/2025 19:03

DH isn’t a big drinker these days, maybe one or two pints each weekend and every couple of months a bigger session.

He has told me today he intends to stop drinking indefinitely, as he needs to ‘knuckle down’ with work (unhappy and so far unsuccessfully job hunting) and is fed up after his bigger sessions (which in reality are about 5/6 pints with mates) of feeling crap for days after.

I know this probably sounds bad for me to say, but we are both early 30’s and I really enjoy having a drink with him on the weekend. We also go on holiday quite regularly and have cocktails etc, going to different bars is part of the fun). I’ll feel a bit silly drinking by myself.

Can anyone see where I am coming from? I’m not sure how stopping having one or two drinks every weekend will help him in his job hunt!

OP posts:
MammaTo · 24/04/2025 20:27

Yeah I do get that. If you go for a nice meal and fancy a bottle of wine with it, then I’d feel a bit meh having a few glasses by myself too. Maybe it’s just a temporary thing till he feels more on track with things.

Gettingbysomehow · 24/04/2025 20:31

I can't understand why anyone drinks
I've been teetotal for years. I hate drinking and hangovers and I hated being with my ex who could never stop at 1 or 2 but drank until he projectile vomited anywhere in the house.

GravyBoatWars · 24/04/2025 20:33

Yes, it's selfish and unreasonable to resent someone you love stopping drinking because they think it will help them feel better in multiple ways.

But that doesn't make you a monster or bad spouse, it makes you human; we all have selfish and unreasonable thoughts and feelings. What's important is that we appropriately label them ("that's just my selfish side talking, my DH is doing absolutely nothing wrong") and not act on or express them. So vent briefly to a journal or close friend (or on here) while enthusiastically supporting your husband's choice.

BatchCookBabe · 24/04/2025 20:39

I hear ya @PollyPocketer , and I think all the YABU bunch who say you're petty and entitled to be sniffy about your DH giving up booze have never had theirs give it up.

My DH decided to go teetotal some 6 years ago. He was a bit of a binge drinker to be honest, and could knock back a third of a bottle of brandy in one night, and he was really feeling the effects of it. Instead of just cutting down though, he flat out gave up.

And you're right, it does feel odd necking half a bottle of wine on a Friday night when you're sitting in watching a movie together, and he's supping diet coke. You're feeling merry and giggly and he's stone cold sober. I used to love getting tipsy with him and doing daft things and getting the giggles over things together. As a sober person, he's like 😐

When he first stopped drinking booze, whenever we went out with mates, or his or my work colleagues, or family, I would be tipsy by around 8.45pm and having giggles with other tipsy people, and by around 9.15pm, he'd say 'I'm tired now, I'd quite like to go.' And I had to go with him, (as he was the driver.) If I said 'I'll get a taxi then,' he would sigh and sit down and say 'I'll wait then!' and sit with a face like a slapped arse, refusing to go without me, making me feel guilty/bad/shit because he wasn't enjoying himself.

So he was choosing to be sober but being miserable with it. (And dragging me down with him.) Got to the point where I refused to go out with him and just went out with my mates... I stopped going out with his colleagues because I was enjoying myself, and he would say 'I'm tired now ... I wanna go...' at 9pm!

Then there was the judgement when I had a drink. 'You need a drip directly into your arm you do,' and 'you're a lush!' and similar disparaging comments when I didn't even drink that much really! AND comments in front of other people... 'you shoulda seen her last week, rolling on the floor she was so drunk!' (I wasn't, I was tipsy, but he loves to exaggerate for attention.) I said 'no I was not, you bloody liar!' But the people he tells it to think 'no smoke without fire.' The amount of comments he made pissed me off so much that in the end (a couple of years after he stopped drinking,) I started to not drink in front of him. When at home, I wait for him to go to bed, or to be on a late shift, and drink alone.

So yeah, I have adapted, and honestly don't drink massively, just once or twice a week - 2-3 glasses of wine or port - and very rarely in front of him. And I have told him if we go out with other people, I will NOT be leaving at 9pm to 9.30pm because he is 'tired' or 'bored.' And I will be getting a taxi if he wants to leave early. So now we just don't go out at night together with other people. I just go on my own with my mates... Funnily enough, whenever we have got home in the past (after him leaving early coz he was 'tired') he has stayed up til 1am watching TV. I said 'not so tired then eh?' Hmm and he'd just say' well I've woken up now.'

As I say, I have adapted/am used to his teetotalness now, but it was tedious to start with and hard going, and honestly... I would love him to start drinking again. For the first 2-3 years of it, he was like Fun Bobby from Friends. A great laugh when tipsy, (and I was tipsy too) but dull as ditchwater when he was sober - when we were out. And as I said, he didn't want to stay out when we were out.

So yeah, I think it DOES have an impact when you're a couple who has always enjoyed a drink together (he drank for the first 22-23 years we were together,) and one of you stops. If me and DH split and I met someone else, I wouldn't carry on seeing them if they were teetotal. I'd want someone I can enjoy a drink with.

Don't care if people judge me. That's how I feel. And I've lived it, so I'm entitled to say so.

scotstars · 24/04/2025 20:42

YABU but I don't think yours is an unusual viewpoint. I don't drink and it's a major deal for some of my family and 1 of my friends who continues to invite me to boozy brunches etc. I think it's her mission to change my mind I struggle to see why they make it an issue tbh I made my choices for my health I don't preach and still happy to go to pub etc for catch ups/a meal but something like a boozy brunch is going to be wasted on me

Bigcat25 · 24/04/2025 20:44

There's all kinds of alcohol free beers and cocktails now. If your husband is open to those, you won't need to adjust your lifestyle too much.

zestylemonlime · 24/04/2025 20:47

I think it’s a great idea.

I was never a heavy or frequent drinker to start with and haven’t had one for many years. It disagrees with me and I always felt tired, sleepy and bloated after one small glass of wine. DH continues to drink a few beers the odd time.

NuffSaidSam · 24/04/2025 20:50

I think your reaction to this indicates a possible problem in your own relationship with alcohol (or with him?!).

I'd have a think about it, talk it through with someone if that helps. Dig in to why it bothers you so much.

Ffsdfef · 24/04/2025 20:50

Of course YABU OP. No one should be pressured to drink alcohol if they don't want to. He can have all the non-alcoholic drinks he wants.

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 24/04/2025 21:02

I stopped drinking a while ago. DH and I still go to pubs, he drinks beer, I have a mix of different soft drinks non alcoholic gins, movktails - exactly the same as before apart from a damn sight easier and cheaper to get home.

BunnyLake · 24/04/2025 21:02

Well as someone whose ex was an alcoholic, no I don’t relate to you at all. Suggest to him some non -alcoholic beer, it’s pretty good nowadays.

IThoughtHeWasWithYou · 24/04/2025 21:08

GOODCAT · 24/04/2025 20:25

I totally get that it changes what you have been used to doing together. It is always hard when one half of a couple makes a unilateral decision which changes how you spend your time together.

I say that as someone who is teetotal! You obviously accept his position, so I would just see if you can create new things you do together and bond over and make it as fun as possible.

It’s interesting isn’t it, because I’m teetotal now and it hasn’t changed a thing. We still go to nice restaurants, cocktail bars, pubs. DP has whatever lovely wine he wants and I have delicious mocktail or a non alcoholic beer. I’m still drinking something delicious with him.

I do however have certain friends I can’t got out with anymore because they get annoyed I’m not drunk. Like, me being sober stops them enjoying their wine. It’s mad.

Coconutter24 · 24/04/2025 21:16

PollyPocketer · 24/04/2025 19:33

He used to drink more in his 20’s but says since entering his 30’s he really suffers until about Tuesday if a heavier session on the Saturday.

He is often in a mood on a Monday post heavier session and I’ve always said it can’t be due to what he drank on the Saturday but the more I’ve researched it I’ve realised it could be the reason. He does tend to get short with me and I think is one of reasons he is stopping.

And even after reading writing and reading that you’re still not on board with him quitting drinking? Yes YABU yes you are being selfish. He shouldn’t have to carry on drinking just so you can enjoy a glass of wine. He’s wanting to quit and better his life how can you not be happy for that?

Lourdes12 · 24/04/2025 21:17

PollyPocketer · 24/04/2025 19:33

He used to drink more in his 20’s but says since entering his 30’s he really suffers until about Tuesday if a heavier session on the Saturday.

He is often in a mood on a Monday post heavier session and I’ve always said it can’t be due to what he drank on the Saturday but the more I’ve researched it I’ve realised it could be the reason. He does tend to get short with me and I think is one of reasons he is stopping.

My husbands mood has improved massively since he stopped drinking

ANiceCuppaTeaandBiscuit · 24/04/2025 21:18

I sympathise, my dh all but gave up drinking, there’s only the odd one on occasions these days. I used to enjoy our rituals of choosing nice wine to pair with what we were cooking at weekends etc. I like a glass of wine but rarely drink more than a glass so won’t often open an expensive bottle just for me. It’s meant I drink less which is good, but I still have a glass a couple of evenings a week.

Calamitousness · 24/04/2025 21:21

I know what you mean as well. It’s hilarious that the non drinkers think yabu. Of course they do. They’re non drinkers! To feel otherwise would make no sense.
For you, I get it. I don’t drink very often now, just because I don’t like feeling shabby next day. So it wouldn’t bother me anymore but my dh did stop drinking and became fitness obsessed a few years ago when I still liked wine at the weekend. I hated it. He was just a bit more humourless. Less fun all round. I was so grateful when he went back to beers at the weekend. I never would have said anything to him. It was his choice to make and he has never said anything to me about stopping as it’s my choice. But sometimes I do feel I’m missing out but I can’t face the not sleeping well and feeling just a bit meh next day.

Jc2001 · 24/04/2025 21:27

ZepherinDrouhin · 24/04/2025 20:00

It seems to me that you are alcohol dependent because most of your socialising revolves around alcohol.

It sounds like you're speaking from experience.

BigDahliaFan · 24/04/2025 21:28

My dh rarely drinks, it’s great he’s designated driver, I still have a glass of wine or 2 when I want, I’ll have a beer on holiday and he’ll have a tea or soft drink. I probably drink a bit less but it’s not made a huge difference.

Glindaa · 24/04/2025 21:32

Nothing to stop you still both going to bars and him having a zero alcohol beer or movktail and you having a nice cocktail OP

Sunsweetsandandicecream · 24/04/2025 21:36

MammaTo · 24/04/2025 20:27

Yeah I do get that. If you go for a nice meal and fancy a bottle of wine with it, then I’d feel a bit meh having a few glasses by myself too. Maybe it’s just a temporary thing till he feels more on track with things.

It sounded more like op was alluding to bar crawls? The holidays you have in your early 20s when you're abroad with a sex on the beach, and a free fish bowl, those were the days! 😂

Icanttakethisanymore · 24/04/2025 21:42

Drinking has never been super important in mine and DP’s relationship (although we both drink and did do more when we got together) but these days he almost never drinks. Honestly I’d love to occasionally get a bit tipsy with him but I know if he does have a drink he’ll only have one or possibly two over a whole night. Obviously it’s better for his health and it’s better for mine too because I drink less. Try to see the positives and be outwardly supportive even if you are a little disappointed.

Arancia · 24/04/2025 21:44

As a non-drinker I'm seriously bemused by how much alcohol rule even so-called "modest / occasional drinker's" life. Considering the fact that alcohol is poison, and so many people say and do stupid things under the influence, I don't understand why someone would NOT support their spouse when they decide to cut alcohol out. There are other and better things to drink than ethanol.

MonsteraDelicious · 24/04/2025 21:44

Even the odd drink, and especially the night out could be affecting him emotionally. If he is a feeling a bit low about work etc he's made a sensible choice. Also 5-6 pints might not sound like a huge night to everyone, but as he doesn't drink much regularly then he probably will feel horrendous after!

carcassonne1 · 24/04/2025 22:00

Look at the bright side - alcohol is so expensive, he will save you both a lot of money :).

MilkyBarsAreOnMee · 24/04/2025 22:02

I get what you mean OP. I don't think it's alcohol ruling your life, as a PP put it, but to me it would be the stopping of certain rituals, like choosing a nice bottle of wine together. Similar to if you always enjoyed a takeaway with your partner on a Friday night then they decided to give up takeaways. You are allowed to miss something you've done together for years.