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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

should I send H this email? unsure of self (again)

268 replies

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 14:11

I've posted before about my H of six months. Things haven't gone as hoped. I have 2DC who love him to bits.

We have some key issues and I try to address them but in truth they are his issues - drinking and porn/not wanting sex.
And we argue about it.
Or I try to address and he ignores emails or says he won't talk.
Sometimes he does talk.
He says I am pushing and pushing and not leaving it alone and that the curent problems are down to me.

I am at the end now and have said so, but cowardice and low self esteem mean I find it so hard to just stick to it and "be the bad guy" and all his friends hating me and so on. And only married in Jan!
I know it's pathetic.

He's cried and asked me to go to Relate. We have an appontment this week.
I've confided in a couple of friends and they say go so that he can't say you didn't try.
I think I am looking for his agreement to end it Confused
Anyway we've had a discussion again this morning and he doesn't, to me, appear to be taking responsibility and I have drafted this - shall I send it??

Dear Mr42,

Before we moved in together, we agreed that one or two nights a week with no booze to be together was what we'd do so that we could strengthen our relationship and also it might help the sex life.

We agreed drinking in front of the boys to be kept to maybe once a week at pub tea etc. These two seemed to be OK for a while but since our wedding they haven't happened.

You also said you wanted to drink less and you've done that and although it is at a level very damaging for your health , I know you have made a lot of effort with the intake.

On many but not all dry nights (when it's not an early shift so in bed at 8) you tell me you feel anxious and you appear down.
Dry nights have diminished since wedding.

These are facts.

In discussion/argument you make excuses or seem to try to get away from the facts saying for example: "Well if I do a dry night you tell me I'm fucking miserable " as if I am being unreasonable, when it is a fact, you DO look miserable and you say yourself that you're anxious. I have never said that to you at the time, just tried to distract you or be there for you.

You also said you don't do dry nights because I am not supportive, but even if that were true, it's another excuse.
You feel there's "nothing you can say" to make me happy, implying that I have unilaterally decided on the above and demanded that you stick to it.

What we agreed hasn't panned out.

IMHO this is because you have an alcohol problem which persists despite your success in reducing your unit intake.

You appear compelled to put drinking before your health, our relationship and the commitment you made to be a parent to the boys.
Not always, but too much of the time.
You say you're trying but you won't get help.

The nasty words when you're drunk and the accusing me of lying to hurt your feelings and then lying to cover it up - you are saying is my fault. You slagged me off in my own house when the boys could hear some of it. Not OK.

You said you would book a counselling appointment. Now you won't, and it seems you weren't going to tell me that.

You're also now saying the no sex is my fault for being sad and "the atmosphere". That might be true now, as we have the impasse as described above.

But, from the start of our relationship you've been reluctant and say that you have not been able to think of why, saying you do want a sex life, even if your actions say something different - you have turned down kisses and my initiating sex a lot of times.

I think you prefer going solo and aren't admitting it.

We have slept in separate rooms from just a few weeks after we married - with a reason, but one that's not been investigated. I miss you and want to sleep curled up with you but given that you don't come in to me (apart from a couple of times) or work on the snoring, it appears that you're OK with the separate rooms. I have tried to come in to you but as I told you when we moved the rooms, it is hard for me to do that because I get rejected.
Last time I came in for a cuddle you actually pushed me out.

Well it is not words but change in behaviour that is needed.
I have tried and tried and tried, to talk, to not talk and give you time (which you have thanked me for, but now is forgotten) to email to give you chance to think.

I sometimes ask you to delay drinking for a while and it's a "no".
I got a book for us to read you didn't.
You said you'd plan the dry nights and other things the counsellor you went to once suggested but you haven't.

I've tried initiating intimacy and not initiating, I've tried underwear and waiting for the right moment. I've tried to understand about you liking it only when showered...I've masturbated you cos you like it even though that doesn't include me.

I have grown sadder and sometimes cross and then the problems have been blamed on me as if it'd all go away if I were nicer.

I thought I was nice and that you thought I was nice.
I am now uncomfortable around you because you're angry and blaming me.

If you do feel I am unreasonable and unpleasant I would question why you married me?

I am fucking fed up. There's promises been broken and I am now suffering acute anxiety I think, unless my arms and legs are really broken.

I am always ready to try and to take on 50% responsibility, are you? As that would look like going for help, planning the dry nights etc....

My expectations are - what we agreed about drinking or at least you getting help towards it, being treated with respect not nasty words or accused of things and a loving intimate life with my husband.

Can you be clear about what you want and what you're going to do about it?
If the answer is "nothing more" could you be honest about that?
You can have expectations of me/the relationship as well.

If these expectations of mine aren't acceptable and aren't going to happen, YOU SHOULD SAY SO.

If you still want to go to counselling we can do and that's partly why I've set this out here to help me be clear about my point of view.

If you choose not to reply again, I will assume you don't want to go into all this anymore at all

OP posts:
Dutchcourage · 31/07/2016 15:14

op leaving my ex was the hardest thing I ever did. I actually felt pain in my heart and he was crying his eyes out at the door, my aunt how was helping me leave even felt sorry for him and asked if I wanted to stay! But I went as I knew deep down he wasn't go to change. He was a really bad weed smoker. Every day. He would get really nasty if he didn't have it for a half a day.

I actually moved out of the area which helped and also staying away from him was hard too. Looking back now though, at who I was living with that gives me the horrors - real horrors that I had my dd1 around him. He was a real bully.

My lovely Dh is the total opposite to that arsehole. Give YOU a chance op don't waste your life on this bloke.

LoreleiGilmoreIsMyBFF · 31/07/2016 15:14

I did a really interesting course called Intuitive Recovery, which explains in basic terms, how the more you drink, the more your brain 'promotes' the need for it over everything else. Drinking too heavily, too often and for too long 'trains' your brain into thinking it is essential for survival, and therefore 'raises' alcohol's priority over other human needs like socialisation, sex, and eventually, food.

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:14

yes life is miserable babybommer, we arrange things like a meal out or a dayout and then we argue. We had tickets to a one day event last weekend and he wanted to go but I knew we'd have a bad day so we just didn't go Sad

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:17

dutch thanks for your advice, I have in fact viewed some properties at the weekend, telling myself "just to see" ....we live in a nice area in a nice meduim sized house and I'll only be abe to afford a tiny terrace - but - that's okay!
thanks lorelei I'll look that up

OP posts:
LoreleiGilmoreIsMyBFF · 31/07/2016 15:25

If it's any comfort, he's not choosing alcohol over you, he has simply reached a point where he feels he cannot cope without it. Most people I met in recovery groups had experienced a significant life-event that finally woke them up - often illness or losing their family. Sadly, some addicts are past this point. There are many different support groups out there - I personally wasn't too keen on AA and found support via Addaction. I think it's a case of trial and error until you find what works for you. But you need to stand your ground and ask him to seek help or leave. I know you desperately want to help him, but addiction can only be tackled when the individual is prepared to do so. For what it's worth, I hate the phrase 'enabling' - of course the loved ones of addicts want to support and offer kindness. But sometimes you simply have to withdraw.

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:33

Thank you lorelei for your insight and support.
I do want to help him, I actually think we'll have to split though for it to happen, as in he needs a wake up. And of course nothing is certain he might just go back to his even heavier drinking as a single man.
But it is kind of you to draw a distinction about emabling, as I feel I am highlighting and objecting!

OP posts:
Dutchcourage · 31/07/2016 15:35

That tiny terrace will be your little box of heaven op. Dd1 and I moved in to a shoe box but it was cheap on utility bills and I got it lovely on a budget.

My ex still smokes weed heavily and his tooth has fell out - seen a picture of him on my friends facebook and it knocked me sick. It's probally in your nature to be caring and work at things, some people take advantage of that.

How long have you been with him? I did five years with my ex. Was trying to leave after six months ...

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:37

It will be a haven from all this unhappiness dutch.
I have been with him for 2.5 years and married for 6 months. Too quick.
Previous EA relationship (DCs Dad) and my now H was an old flame who was lovely to me. I can see things more clearly now.

OP posts:
ChanelNo314 · 31/07/2016 15:38

theansweris42 I'm very happy in my tiny terraced house! I love it. I love the freedom. I love that it's mine. I can do what I like with it. I used to live in a beautiful victorian semi on a leafy avenue, blah blah blah. I prefer this place. I'm happier here. Go for that terrace!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/07/2016 15:43

42

re your comment:-

"I do want to help him, I actually think we'll have to split though for it to happen, as in he needs a wake up. And of course nothing is certain he might just go back to his even heavier drinking as a single man".

This is correct, he may well go onto lose everything and everyone around him and still choose to drink afterwards. That is his choice. You also cannot act as a rescuer or saviour in any relationship and you cannot help anyone who does not want to be saved. You need to detach.

Did you ever enrol on the Womens Aid Freedom Programme following your previous EA relationship; if you did not I would strongly urge you to do this now.

I would read up on codependency behaviours and see how much of that actually resonates with your own self. I think your own caring nature and nuture has been well and truly taken advantage of.

LoreleiGilmoreIsMyBFF · 31/07/2016 15:52

He will continue to drink if you stay, and he will continue to drink if you go - the addicted brain will always find a reason to drink/ use and any one of life's ups and downs will do - wife left me/dog looked at me funny/can't find a matching pair of socks. I urge you to leave. It's likely he will drink heavily in the immediate aftermath, because he will feel he now has a 'legitimate' excuse to do so, but it could also be the wake-up he needs. Have a look at the 'cycle of addiction/recovery' diagram and see if he can identify whereabouts he is. I imagine he's in the 'knowing he should stop, but doesn't want to' phase. For the sake of your children, get out. And don't forget that most alcohol recovery groups also offer support for family members - AlAnon being one, and I know Addaction has one also, just can't remember what it's called! Good luck!

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:54

chanel I had a tiny terrace before and I am quite happy really, just that the DC love this house. But they'll adapt. And there'll be no weirdness Smile
attila I have read loads of stuff, I try to at least have insight even though I find breaking out very hard.
In fact I think he will find a flat and go back to drinking and working and that's it.
I couldn't find a Freedom near me and had two preschoolers and no help so I did it online, also read and re-read Lundy Bancroft.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:55

dutch he is there, he said this morning he doesn't want to stop and he thinks he is on control.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:56

oh sorry meant lorelei

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 15:58

I've just been on to the bank and have in principle agreed extension to overdraft so that I can pay deposit and then pay bank back when get deposit from this house.
I have also just chnaged all DDs round so that only the rent and CTax for this place is now paid from a joint account.

OP posts:
ChanelNo314 · 31/07/2016 16:00

wow. you're really half way there already. Brew

ChanelNo314 · 31/07/2016 16:02

ps, agree with something important upthread. you don't need his blessing or his approval or his understanding.

when i left my x i wanted him to acknowledge that leaving was the only sane course of action for me and of course he never acknowledged that.

LoreleiGilmoreIsMyBFF · 31/07/2016 16:02

If he can't do a couple of dry nights without feeling miserable, I'd suggest he isn't in control - and your OP suggests otherwise. I don't like to 'diagnose' addiction in others, but in this case, I really think he is in denial. You often hear the phrase 'admitting you have a problem is the first step'. I knew I had a problem about three years before I finally got sober. I also noticed that women often outnumbered men in many of the support groups I attended, simply because I think women are better at asking for help. I would suggest that if he is even using terms like 'under control', he knows deep down he has a problem.

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 16:04

thanks chanel
I am a lifelong people pleaser, so I do want him to "see", "agree", "understand".
must work on that.

OP posts:
LoreleiGilmoreIsMyBFF · 31/07/2016 16:05

Could you attend an Al-Anon meeting? He doesn't need to be in AA for you to do so, but you will meet others in exactly your position, who can provide support and advice. I'd definitely recommend it, it still hurts that my mum went to several because of me, but she found them really useful.

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 16:07

lorelei I think he does know. He said "but counselling is working towards controlling drinking or stopping. I don't want to stop and I am in control".
But then - unable to stay sober to talk with me, in denial about units drunk, massive struggle to do dry nights (it's easier for him when he has to be in bed at 7.30pm for getting up for work at 3 - but I do find it hard to "celebrate" those dry nights!)

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 16:08

I have been to al anon twice, it was interesting. It's v hard with FT job and DC and being single parent.

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 16:09

he said "but some nights I just have two large G&Ts, that is being sober" Confused

OP posts:
LoreleiGilmoreIsMyBFF · 31/07/2016 16:12

Some services, like Addaction, offer clients a choice of what they want to work towards - either total abstinence or cutting down significantly. He doesn't necessarily have to stop. If it is reduction he's after, then go for Addaction, as AA is about complete abstinence. There are also some medications available - I didn't use these, but there is one that reduces the effect alcohol has on the brain, so that after a while, your cravings reduce. Check the NHS website for details.

theansweris42 · 31/07/2016 16:13

thanks for all the info lorelei

OP posts:
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