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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

Said something I regret

202 replies

smileygrapefruit · 28/01/2017 01:51

DH and I have one problem in our marriage. I get anxious when he goes out drinking and he stays out too late/gets too drunk. It's turned in to a vicious cycle as I don't want him to go so he has started lying to me about it. Tonight he was going out with a colleague after work and said he wouldn't be late (finished work at 9pm). I rang him at 1am and we've had a massive row on the phone ending with him saying "I just want to be able to go out and have some freedom!" And me replying with "well maybe you need a divorce then!" He said "fine" and hung up and now his phone is turned off. I'm now in bed, unable to sleep. Neither of us want a divorce! But this argument happens every few months and I don't know what to do. We are both in the wrong and both need to change I guess. Arghh I don't even know why I'm posting. Just feeling very sad right now Sad

OP posts:
SheFeedsYouTeaAndOranges · 28/01/2017 11:00

If he refuses to meet her half way and insists it's his right to stay out all night and get trolleyed and "fuck you", then she has another choice to make. But at the moment, her anxiety does have a role to play in this.

YourFace · 28/01/2017 11:07

My husband is also a CEO and his recent ridiculous behaviour was partly blamed on winning an award (that night) and not being able to tolerate alcohol after doing 3/4's of dry January. I'd be more tolerant if it didn't happen on a quarterly basis. I don't have anxiety. I just think it is selfish, pathetic and disrespectful. I go out weekly but he knows I stay in control so he never has to worry that I'll put myself at risk. I'd be tempted to do it to let him experience if I was less mature.

I'm probably projected but I feel very sympathetic. Though maybe your husband doesn't come back as shit faced. Mine is pretty skinny and can't keep pace with other blokes, so trying to is where it goes wrong.

Bibblewanda · 28/01/2017 11:10

Alcohol is a drug. It may not be an illegal one but it's a drug nonetheless.

BusterGonad · 28/01/2017 11:14

I suppose there's not a lot of difference between a crack pipe and a pint.

KateDaniels2 · 28/01/2017 11:19

Drugs are irrelevant. Its not drugs.

AllTheLight · 28/01/2017 11:20

Sorry, this has probably already been suggested (haven't read every post), but could you establish some ground rules?

E.g. he needs to give you a rough time he'll be home. If he's later than that by more than half an hour, he will contact you to let you know, or you will contact him and he won't be annoyed with you for doing so. However, the purpose of these phone calls is simply to let you know he's safe to relieve your anxiety - they're NOT a judgment from you about him being out late / drinking too much.

Basically - he acknowledges that you suffer from anxiety and he can help you in some simple ways, and you acknowledge that he is an adult who is allowed to make his own choices (given that he doesn't seem to go out and get drunk excessively- my advice would be different if that was the situation).

SheFeedsYouTeaAndOranges · 28/01/2017 11:20

Alcohol is a drug. It may not be an illegal one but it's a drug nonetheless.

Well in that case, if alcohol is a drug and you are asking how people would feel if it were drugs, then you already have your answer.

SparklingRaspberry · 28/01/2017 11:21

Haven't read the full thread.

Your anxiety is not his problem.

He is entitled to a night out (just like you are) without having to come home early just to ease your worrying that he will cheat due to previous bad experiences.

I wouldn't come home early just because my partner was worried I could cheat. In fact it would push me away especially if I had never done anything to make them think that.

What is HIS problem is how much he drinks, that he can't even remember where the toilet is.

You need to back off pushing your anxiety onto him and not liking him going out because you're worried he could cheat.

He needs to learn his limits and stop acting like an 18 year old getting so drunk he can't remember where to piss.

I doubt he will remember the divorce comment and even if he does he probably knows you didn't mean it.

BusterGonad · 28/01/2017 11:23

Bibble where do you stand on caffeine? Is it a drug too? One too many Starbucks and I'm good for nothing! 😂

YourFace · 28/01/2017 11:27

There are plenty of other drugs you don't have to pick crack. Lots of people take cocaine and function fine but if the op had substituted alcohol for cocaine responses would be less tolerant. Bibble's point Is valid. To me it's not the substance so much has the impact it has.

Chelazla · 28/01/2017 11:27

I truly can't believe how ridiculous some people are. He goes out once every couple of months and gets grief if this was other way round and person going out was a woman the man would be accuse of emotional abuse. I also think it's spiteful making him get up as its 'his turn' so what? Be nice it's your dh! If you never get a lay in fair enough. I'm sorry this is harsh but op sounds exhausting. If you have anxiety get treatment or he might take you up on the divorce you offered for him going out once every 2 month. Personally I couldn't live like that.

Shakey15000 · 28/01/2017 11:34

Both DH and I would go bonkers if we didn't have our own time to let off steam. I do theatre/music stuff and drink afterwards with like minded friends. DH likes an evening dahn the pub talking to whoever about whatever.

Both of us leave with a " See you when I see you". I wouldn't dream of ringing him and vice versa.

For context we have a 9yr old DS and automatically get up if the other's been out.

BusterGonad · 28/01/2017 11:41

Yourface the point is it isn't about drugs is it? It's about a few too many beers. Why bring substances to the thread that haven't been taken?

Bibblewanda · 28/01/2017 11:50

there's not a lot of difference between a crack pipe and a pint.

It's not one pint, it's drink to the point he doesn't know where his bathroom is.

I would be livid if my dp came home that drunk, he's not a fucking student.

TheNaze73 · 28/01/2017 11:57

I would be livid if I was being harassed on a night out with friends.

HarmlessChap · 28/01/2017 11:59

At 1am when having the row he didn't seem to drunk, she told him to get a divorce and he comes in off his face 2 hours later. I'd say that there was a significant additional consumption of alcohol as a result of that call.

I can't believe that so many people see a night out with friends drinking is anything more than a bit of stress relief. Fair enough not everybody wants to my DW hates going out, and I fully understand that, but I try to have a night drinking out once every 6 weeks or so, as I enjoy it.

I am usually asked what time I'll be home but its hard to know. I tell her if I catch the late but I'll be in about 12:30 but if we go on to a club I'll share a taxi so it will be down to when others want to leave, but maybe 2:30.

Most times I do get the bus In the past she's tried texting at around 1am but my phone is set to turn off notifications between 11pm & 6am (which she knows) so I don't hear the ping and I'm not glued to the phone to see them. Her insecurity is because she has checked out of the physical affection side of our relationship (no hugs or kisses let alone anything else) and makes regular references to me having another woman, which I don't.

ofudginghell · 28/01/2017 12:07

Op I don't think he should have to give you a time he will be in or feel like he has to.
He probably says that to pacify you so he can relax when he goes out.
It's a vicious circle.
I get that coming in at 5am isn't acceptable in normal circumstances but it's not normal if you've been called and text and had a go at when your trying to have a night out and enjoy your time with friends.

In a normal situation he would say he's off out and you would be happy that he's doing something he likes seeing as he works lots as well and as you've said yourself does his fair share at home too.
Enjoy the evening of peace and make arrangements like a lovely bath and a bit of reading some nice food and a comfy sofa and box set.
Then go to bed at a time you normally would and leave a spare duvet on the sofa in case he's really late but I can guarantee he only comes in that late because your badgering triggers a stubbornness in him. He's kicking back reminding you he's a grown man and married to his wife not his mother.

Just send him a quick txt before you go to bed saying your off to bed,you've left a duvet on the sofa in case he's really late back and hope he's having a nice night.
It will change the whole situation the next time and it will stop being an issue

Maybe you could have some cbt again for your own reasons and anxiety issues to help you but will also help you deal with relatively normal thins in a normal way.

You accept you have anxiety issues and say it stems from being cheated on by other men in the past but he's not other men,he's your husband and it probably really cheeses him off that you think he would do it.
He probably sees it as did respectful to him so his knee jerk reaction is to think well did you then and stays out so late.

In regards to him coming in so drunk he can't find the loo don't help him.
Tell him he's a grown man like he keeps saying so he can sort himself out. I wouldn't be taking him to the loo,only the sofa with a duvet. That's his responsibility not yours. And if he does get that drunk he can't handle it he needs to make that call and sort it out not you.

SheFeedsYouTeaAndOranges · 28/01/2017 12:09

At 1am when having the row he didn't seem to drunk, she told him to get a divorce and he comes in off his face 2 hours later. I'd say that there was a significant additional consumption of alcohol as a result of that call.

I think that's highly likely.

LostSight · 28/01/2017 12:11

I can see a difference in someone going out and doing their own thing in a way that doesn't affect their partner, and going out and doing something that impacts on their partner when they get home and for the next day so that they cannot share the load of caring for their children at the weekend, for example.

It is complicated for me, by the OP's worry about her partner straying. My H used to do this and our eventual compromise was that if he wanted to drink, he should arrange to stay with his drinking friends or anywhere he liked, so long as I didn't have to deal with it, and only return when sober.

I didn't like that he still did it, but it didn't impact on me in the same way. It made me anxious waiting for him to come home and I didn't like it when he came home that way. I would lie awake, listening to him breathe, feeling that if he died it would be somehow my responsibility. I also disliked the fact that the children might see him like that.

Once he was 'allowed' to do it, he went out less and less frequently, then eventually landed in hospital one night and could no longer ignore what I had been telling him for a long time: that he was putting his own life at risk and risked leaving the children without a father over having some 'fun' / 'freedom' which on most occasions, he couldn't remember anyway.

Oddly enough, since then, he seems mostly able to control his intake, and also will listen when I say 'please stop'. So he was obviously choosing that pathway. I believe he saw me as an extension of the mother who had nagged him when he was a student and he was still rebelling.

You need to find a way of breaking the cycle that works for you both. He needs to work with you to find a solution that will make his going out bearable, so he can enjoy himself and you don't feel the need to nag. It doesn't sound to me as if this is all about your anxiety. He is being selfish as well.

Emboo19 · 28/01/2017 12:13

I do think this is your issue op and not his! I'm only young so 3am isn't a late night to me, pre baby I'd usually roll in around 6am!
If he was to say he's going out until 3am before he went, would you be ok with that?
When he's sober and not hungover. Can you talk about it and maybe say you'd rather him tell you the latest he'll be home, rather than saying 12 and not getting in until 3, he could say he'll be in at 3, if he's earlier bonus!

BusterGonad · 28/01/2017 13:14

I think the best course of action is to not say what time you expect him in and when you head of to bed send a quick test saying something along the lines of I hope you have a good evening, if you come home later than 3 please text me so I know you are safe. Good night. And then if you wake up you can check the time and your phone. I would say being rung up by your partner when you are out to check what time you're coming home is at best annoying at worst embarrassing. If it's purely a safety issue then maybe send the odd text but don't expect a reply.

smileygrapefruit · 28/01/2017 15:30

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I can't reply to them all but it helped reading them. I woke him up and went to do some work til 12, came home and we spoke. He started off defending his actions, but admitting he shouldn't have got that drunk. Said what a few of you have said, that I pushed him to stay out later as he couldn't deal with the agro. I then explained my side...that he said he'd be home in good time and although I was anxious all night I didn't ring him til 1am as I don't consider that 'not late' and that I had been trying to hold my end of the bargain I.e.let him have me free time without me pestering but felt like he hadn't kept his side I.e. not getting so drunk and being a reasonable time. He actually totally agreed, and understands that I was trying. Next time he is going to be more considerate of my feelings. I hope that's it sorted anyway, he's at work now so we'll probably talk some more tonight but thanks for all the comments.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 28/01/2017 16:00

That's good news Op, as much as I commented that he probably felt like he was pushed into it I do feel for you as arguing with your partner is no fun and makes you feel so shit. Hopefully next time he goes out things will run smoother for you both.

RestlessTraveller · 28/01/2017 18:56

So he's having to jump through hoops you've put up for you to "let" him have a night out?

offside · 28/01/2017 19:11

Blimey I feel sorry for a lot pp DPs on this thread?! Are you so against the men in your lives going out and letting their hair down once every few months because you're jealous of their social life? Is it anxiety? And to the poster who said decent men don't go out and get drunk, I don't think I've ever read a more ridiculous post.

Everyone is entitled to let their hair down, it doesn't make you a bad person, it makes you a real person. So what if you drink a bit too much, so long as you're not hurting anyone I don't see the issue. And no, this is not an example of hurting someone, the OP has to deal with her anxiety, that is her problem which she needs to deal with. It is unfair of her to call her DP to see where he is/what time he's coming home when he's on a night out which he does once every few months. I'd be furious if my DP checked up on me!

A lot of people need to relax a little bit and enjoy life, however you choose to do, but don't judge people for doing something you wouldn't if they're just having a good time. Crikey.