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Advice on partner's drinking please

13 replies

Jastree · 25/10/2021 13:29

Hello all

I just came across this forum and am posting as I need some help from somewhere. I don't know what to do about my partners drinking.

Bit of background. Not long after we got together I got pregnant and we now have a 6 month old. He moved in with me just before she was born as we were going to try and be a family. Anyway, basically, every night that he can (so not the nights he actually works nightshifts) he will drink. The minimum is about 2 or 3 cans and the maximum I have counted is a whole bottle of red wine and 7 cans/ bottles of beer. He is slightly affected by this amount in that his speech is ever so slurred but other than that he can take that amount really well. Last week he went out drinking all day (well, 9 hours or so) and the next evening he had a bottle of wine and 7 beers. I couldn't believe it. I honestly thought he might give it a break that night, but no, he couldn't. Last night after work he had 2 bottles and tonight as he doesn't have to be up tomorrow I am certain he will be up to 7 or 8 beers with an entire bottle of wine.

I get that people drink to wind down etc but it's literally every night that he can. There may have been 1 or 2 nights since he has been here that he hasn't drunk. I also think the amount he drinks is insane- he is easily on over 70 units a week if not more.

I am starting to resent him even more as he will often leave our baby crying next to him while he opens a beer and scrolls through his phone. I hate it. I do 95% if not all of her care. Which I love of course. I also get the impression he thinks I am weird that I don't drink (well, maybe one at Christmas and my birthday but that's it) as he asked me the other day why I don't go out drinking in the day. I am certain he thinks I am boring and no fun. But hey I am me and I am happy to be me! He also puts quite a bit of pressure on me to exercise. Post baby I am keen to get back in shape but I find it so hypocritical that he is on at me about not stretching and exercising enough when he pours poison into his body every night (and cigarettes when he goes out drinking too).

My father was an alcoholic and my mum took us away from him so I never had to experience it. But his sister (my auntie) also was and I have seen it first hand and it frightens me. My father was never in my life but got in touch when I was a young adult to say he was dying from liver cancer and three other cancers.

I am torn because I hate how much he drinks. I have told him I think he drinks too much but his reaction was basically nothing- in that he isn't going to change. I don't want my child to grow up around it yet I don't want her to have to split her time between two homes. I want to do the right thing for her and so any advice anyone can give would be most appreciated.

Many thanks

OP posts:
Mummapenguin20 · 25/10/2021 13:37

I grew up in a situation similar he sounds like a functioning alcholic, untill he realises himself he has a issue there is not much you can do to help him... for your daughters sake id run for the hills good luck op

lisaandalan · 25/10/2021 22:58

I'd just be honest and say I'm really sorry I know you won't want to hear this but you have a drink problem and unless you are willing to go somewhere and get help we cannot be together. I don't want the baby growing up in an environment like that. X

Jastree · 26/10/2021 16:46

Thank you both for your replies. I do too think he is a functioning alcoholic which really frightens me. He is always going to be in her life, I just need to protect her from that as best I can. And if that means splitting up then that's what I will do. I do want to- I know I would be more relaxed if he wasn't here anymore.

OP posts:
Jastree · 05/11/2021 22:52

Just to update you, I ended it. I honestly can't tolerate the amount he drinks as well as some nasty stuff he has said to me. I feel relief and happy that I won't have to walk on eggshells in my own home anymore.
Thanks everyone

OP posts:
Bonbon21 · 05/11/2021 22:56

You have been so brave to do the right thing..
Motherhood is wonderful, but challenges us in ways we never knew existed. You will be fine going forward.. strong enough for yourself and your baby girl.

Coffeesnob11 · 05/11/2021 22:58

Well done I hope you and your baby can relax and have a happy life

GenderAtheist · 05/11/2021 22:59

Well done OP, you have done the right thing for yourself and your baby.

lazylinguist · 05/11/2021 23:04

You've done the right thing, Op - it's very clear from your post. Not only is he clearly an alcoholic, but you don't even sound as though you were that keen on him tbh. Not 'I love him but he drinks too much', but 'We have a baby. We decided to try and be a family'.

Hollywolly1 · 05/11/2021 23:09

Even if you do split up absolutely no way would I be sending a little child near him to mind,it wouldn't be safe as he drinks so much he could fall asleep and not care fir her

Jastree · 06/11/2021 04:13

Thanks everyone- I do feel relief and it's right that I had grown to resent him with some of the things he said to me and the way he spoke to me too.
We did decide to try for baby's sake but it's evident that he was never going to change and I wasn't accepting that for my little girl.

OP posts:
Bonbon21 · 06/11/2021 10:00

And your little girl is going to grow up with such a strong role model... be proud of yourself....x

Bdelder · 06/11/2021 10:08

Well done, you are obviously an amazing strong woman to make that decision. Many women don’t/ can’t and suffer for years as well as the children.

Please consider reading Liz Fraser’s memoire Coming Clean. It’s an easy read and I think you’ll find it helpful. She suffered horribly and is no longer with her partner. Also consider the Freedom program

CambsAlways · 06/11/2021 22:58

Well done you have done the right thing, I’m proud of you, have a lovely life

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