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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Alcohol/debt/gambling…

1 reply

Marilla1987 · 19/06/2024 21:38

My husband and I have been together for over 20 years. We met through a friend. I was recovering from an emotionally/physically abusive childhood and he was a victim of child on child abuse. Neither of us knew for years what the other had faced. We were an odd match but I had attachment issues and clung on to him even though those around us thought we were a poor match. I think he had the same response. Time went on and we had two beloved children. He fell into gambling, debt and alcoholism. I was in a responsible job and unaware of his trauma; I took his addictions at face value, not realizing the trauma that lay behind them. I foolishly had two abusive affairs. My husband was unaware but spiraled as our children grew older. My shame is immeasurable. My oldest was diagnosed with neurodiversity and youngest immune compromised. I dedicated every fibre of my being to the children and their needs. My husband escalated in his addictions and constantly threatened suicide. He overdosed 3 years ago and I got him help but he refused to engage with support agencies. I took my children to safety for 2 years, all the while trying to get support for my husband. I moved back in with the children in February after a period of calm but my husband soon escalated to 1litre of whiskey a day. I went around in circles with police/ambulance/crisis teams. I asked my MP got help at one point. My friends and siblings staged an intervention and insisted I get an occupancy order (mortgage in my name). He’s gone. I realise that I’m in my late 40s and have ruined my life, my husband’s and our children’s. I am utterly ashamed of my behaviour and have no excuses. I want to support my husband and heal the pain for my children. I have an autoimmune disease and am starting to deteriorate physically. Im wondering if there is anyone else out there who has started again from rock bottom, who has been able to atone and can give advice.

OP posts:
WitchyBits · 19/06/2024 22:00

I've struggled with childhood trauma and heath issues and drunk and drugs when I was younger. I've got 4 adult kids.

You need to step away from your DH and focus on your children. It is the children that need you and the children who you are responsible for. They should be your only focus, Artist from yourself. In your shoes I would be looking into family therapy for you and the kids, individual therapy for the kids and yourself and stop trying to put your DH as priority. He can't and won't change until he is ready to. And you and your children, your home, is not a rehab centre for a broken man.

You have not ruined your life. You still likely have another 30-40 years to change things. And you need to to for your kids sake. You have continued the same cycles of childhood trauma and note that is seriously affecting them. All of you need to put the work in to make sure the cycle ends with them.

It's good you are taking responsibility. But until your DH is 100% doing the same, it's sober long term and in therapy, do not let him back into your lives.

I'm a child of two functioning alcoholic's, one of whom is very likely autistic and the other has a personality disorder.

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