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dp is an alcoholic - I dont think I can suport him anymore???

29 replies

shatteredmumsrus · 12/01/2010 18:35

My dp is an alcoholic in that he doesnt drink every day but when he drinks he cannot stop and even if we have no money he will find it from somewhere to drink.His father and brother are both alcoholic too. He stays out for very long periods of time and we have split up several times over this. Every time he has admitted a problem and even gone to aa and aquarious a few times. This helped a little but he did not go for long and so the drinking started again. Anyway it has happened again, big row over him being out for 3 days drinking and spending money we dont have. He has cried, admitted he needs to sort himself out and is currently at aa. His mother came round today saying I should support him etc etc. I said if I were her daughter what would she advise me to do - she couldnt answer. He has upset mine and our 2 small boys so much by his very inappropriate actions and behaviour. I feel like I have no respect for him and my priorities are with my children! He needs to sort himself out and stop dragging us down with him. I pay all the bills he uses his money for drink and taking us out occasionally. It really is no way to live! So what I want to know is that am I a cold hearted bitch? Should I support him AGAIN even though I will end up here AGAIN? He has a side of him that is absolutely brilliant, caring, loving and a good dad. Then he has a drink and turns into a selfish monster!His mother has suggested he go to church - no disrespect but Im not into that either. Each to their own eh? I like a drink occasionally and so couldnt imagine living with a tee totaller. Im not prepared to give up what little fun I have. Im doomed either way arent I? Anyone with any sould advice or experience pleaseeeeeee????
xx

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 06/02/2010 20:09

shattered

Ahh, the old "focus and drink in moderation" eh. That's his innate denial of his alcoholism talking again. He is so mired in denial and you continue to be wrapped up in his alcoholism problem by enabling him. It is not your problem to carry for him, you cannot fix this for him. He has to want to help his own self.

You cannot and should not enable him any more. All enabling does is give you a flase sense of control and certainly does not help him.

There are no guarantees here; he could lose everything and he'd still drink.

He is not however capable of having a social drink and will never be able to do this: that ability is not there within him.

He's doing the usual thing of blaming the other person i.e you for all their ills. Again you are not responsible for him or his alcoholism, you did not cause it.

He won't change, he will always try and worm his way around you because he knows what buttons to push. You need to be strong for your own self and seek real life support. Al-anon are good as they can help family members of problem drinkers, you need to talk to them.

Also read "Co-dependent no more" written by Melody Davies.

All you have done to date is enable him and by turn you have become co-dependent. At least now he has moved out, he should stay away as well.

You are ultimately NOT responsible for him; only your own self and that of your children. Do not let them get dragged down by his alcoholism like you have to date. If you get dragged down then your children get dragged down as well. They do not need their Dad's alcoholism as part of their daily lives, it will harm them emotionally.
I am therefore glad he is no longer in the family home.

You need to remember the 3cs when it comes to alcoholism:-
You did not cause this
You cannot control this
You cannot cure it

shatteredmumsrus · 17/02/2010 16:13

well update - he is still living elsewhere. I am so confused and angry at how he chose drinking over me and the kids, how can a human being do that? He was meant to take kids to footy and make me a valentines lunch, he turned his phone off Sat night and never turned up Sunday. All I had was apologetic txts Sunday afternoon. The same things he always says after he has done this kind of thing. He was meant to be 'behaving' himself and win us back. That was the last straw.We havent really spoken only txts. I send him ones saying how much I hate him - he sends ones apologising saying he doesnt know what to say - What a mess! I still have the urge for him to be nice to me and say sorry after all he has put me thru tho, what am I , a doormat?I know he went to AA last night but I have no idea of his intentions because as far as hes concerned I will never have him back cus thats what ive said.....

OP posts:
MIFLAW · 18/02/2010 10:27

Shattered

I don't know if this will help or not but I suspect he didn't choose drink - the drink chose him. His ideal would be for him to stay with you and you not to mind him drinking like a fish.

I suspect he has a thought process in his mind that says, "fuck me, my life is shit. And this is WITH drink - how shit will it be without drink?"

You know this is not logical - he doesn't.

I'm not at all saying that you should take him back or be happy about this situation - but try not to take it personally because I can pretty much guarantee that it isn't meant that way.

I hope AA works for him and would be willing to discuss AA further with him or you if that would help.

Hope things get better soon.

shatteredmumsrus · 21/02/2010 16:57

thankyou miflaw x

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