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Relationship: Should I stay or should I go now....

9 replies

Limex07 · 16/01/2026 14:32

Hi anyone that reads this...and thank you by the way.

I am not sure what to do about my current partner. Been together for over 6 years, moved in after 6 months at the start of lockdown, bought a property and now have a wonderful 18month old son.

The issue is my partner is lying about his habbits: drinking and smoking. He has cans of beer in his car which he consumes after work in the car. He comes home with glazed eyes, smelling of alcohol and having sprayed his cologne to high heavens thinking I won't smell the alcohol. Previously I used to confront him, even tried breathalyser test and he would point blank lie to my face without flinching. Couple of times when washing up I have seen residue of beer which I showed him and he said he didn't know how that got there. It seems to me he drinks every day. He has a huge dependency and doesn't want to do anything about it.

I have tried speaking to him about it, baning alcohol in the home but then he started drinking in the car. When we have been on holidays away he would have a drink every single day saying we'll we're on holiday. I have joined him with the drink whilst on holiday. My mum has blamed me for that saying I should be a role model for him as he cannot help himself. I can go without weeks or months drinking so I'm okay but did notice the first couple of years with him I've had cravings of wine with a meal however this had shifted so I now have completely reined that in.

I have tried to take him to the local alcohol support service, GP and pushed counselling. When we got in for the appointment for the alcohol service he asked me to stay in the waiting room, because he knows I would tell the whole truth whereas he won't. He didn't go back since. He says he drinks due to past trauma and his mum passing 8 years ago. I personally think he uses any excuse to drink.

I have set up a tracker for his car because I don't believe he is always at work. Being self employed gardener. The tracker shows that most times he's driving around the area or parked up somewhere which I know he is drinking and on the phone. This makes me angry because there are so many jobs to do around the house including DIY which still not been completed since our move 2 years ago. I'm doing 70% of the chores and I feel like it's mostly on me. Plus we split all our bills 50/50. My mums beliefs are different about men thinking they should be the man of the house and financially support the family.

It's a shame because he is a wonderful person and a great dad to our boy just this huge issue with alcohol I cannot get past. And not only that the biggest hurtful thing for me is that he lies. Our relationship is built on a pack of lies. Plus when he picks our boy up from my mums or nursery a lot of the times he's had a drink so that's placing him at risk. My mum had recently said she will purchase a car seat for her car and drop baby off herself.

I'm not sure what I'm asking from anyone..
.because deep down I have made my mind up because he doesn't want to change. It's just I cannot leave right now as it's difficult looking after our son due to sleep deprivation. I work full time as well and not sure how drop offs pick ups going to work. I cannot bring myself to take the leap.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

OP posts:
Sillygrudge · 16/01/2026 14:40

All I can focus on is him drinking driving, and will be out on the streets today putting innocent people at risk.

Limex07 · 16/01/2026 14:44

You're completely right. I have been wanting to anonymously inform police of his behaviour. But then think how is he going to pay half of our bills. Plus he's been caught drink driving 3 years ago. That has stopped him for couple of months and then resumed.

OP posts:
airportfloor · 16/01/2026 15:09

I can’t see what you get out of this at all. He’s so so far from changing. My mum was an alcoholic and it completely ruined my childhood. Much as I love him I still can’t fathom why my dad allowed us to put up with it. To this day I am still shocked and impacted by some of the things I grew up thinking were Normal.

its a progressive disease and will only get worse

he’s so young he won’t remember the reality of living with a volatile, vacant, useless adult who will put him repeatedly in danger.

PapaBoo · 16/01/2026 21:35

You just have to take the leap. It's tough and easier said than done but it's a diseased mind that you're dealing with. It's better for your sanity, peace and wellbeing for the family. Hopefully, once he sees that you're putting your foot down, he'll be able to get his stuff together, whether or not he's in the picture or not. You're putting way to much effort on trying to steer him in the right direction. Shouldn't have to be that way.

Silverbirchleaf · 16/01/2026 21:38

You’ve given it your best shot. He’s shown that’s he’s not willing to change. Accept defeat and move on. It may be tough for a while whilst you sort things out, but you’ll get there.

Anyusernamewilldo8963 · 16/01/2026 21:42

Similar to a PP I can't get past the drink driving, scum of the earth imo and you allow him to drive your innocent baby around? That makes you just as bad. Leave or stay but the next time he drink drives you need to report him and fgs do not put your child at risk by knowingly putting them in a car with a drunk

AnOldCynic · 16/01/2026 22:28

Limex07 · 16/01/2026 14:44

You're completely right. I have been wanting to anonymously inform police of his behaviour. But then think how is he going to pay half of our bills. Plus he's been caught drink driving 3 years ago. That has stopped him for couple of months and then resumed.

’I’m not going to inform the police that he’s risking killing someone (possibly our child and/or others) because my household income might drop”. Really?

AnnieandJ · 17/01/2026 06:10

You need to report the Drink driving (you won’t)

And as for reliant on him to pay half the bills…. He’s a drunk that is not seeing to do much work at all. So no big loss surely @Limex07

Kitterkitkat · 17/01/2026 07:14

As painful as it is, it won't work. He's priorising alcohol and doesn't want to change.

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