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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

My husband is in rehab and just found out about his infidelity

149 replies

exhaustedmumof4 · 03/09/2017 22:49

Hi, I need strength and support and I don't know where to turn.

My husband has been in rehab for 2 weeks due to cocaine addiction. He's been using problematically for years but it's escalated recently and I kicked him out about 5 weeks ago. He's been doing really well, embracing therapy, talking like I've never heard him talk before about getting clean and sober and I've been feeling really positive about the future.

Today I visited him with our 4DC's, age 8 and under. I'm not supposed to go in the bedrooms but I wanted to feed the baby and there were other residents in the communal areas so I went up to his bedroom. There was paper on the desk in his room, a therapy exercise and I know I shouldn't have looked but I did and I read that he had an affair with a friend of his about 2 years ago. I had always suspected something between them but he made out that I was crazy and suspicious for even considering it. I think I could forgive the infidelity as it was a while ago but he's kept seeing her as a friend since then, brought her round to see our baby recently. When I kicked him out he rang her and I confronted him (as I said I've had my suspicions) and he got angry and said he was entitled to see his friend. He deleted their WhatsApp thread and I confronted him about that and again he had some lame excuse. This was the weekend before he went to rehab. I cannot let go that he could cheat on me but worse still, keep her in his life and make me feel like a terrible person for suspecting and snooping, even though I was right all along.

He says he's so sorry, he was in active addiction then, he's in therapy now etc. I've been trying to be supportive but this is such a huge kick in the teeth. I don't think he had any intention of telling me. I'm so angry and hurt. I know I should leave his lying cheating addict ass to it but we've got 4 kids together. Any advice?

OP posts:
ArcheryAnnie · 04/09/2017 10:22

the pregnancy was my fault

This is simply not true, exhausted. In any situation where two people of opposite sex have sex, it's the responsibility of both of them to address contraception.

SandyY2K · 04/09/2017 10:41

I'm withdrawing my support and concentrating on me and the kids.

Very sensible.

I would only suggest you consider supporting him so that he can be a good father, but that the marriage is over.

Demander · 04/09/2017 11:33

Please get informed support from people who have the relevant experience, the advise here is mainly equivalent to disgruntled gossips barking at each over a broken fence.
I mean really , these people are calling your partner names and telling you to separate a family based on the writing of a shocked, stressed overwhelmed and upset person. ( that's you 😊)
Take the time to do this right. Dont get your advice on this situation here.

exhaustedmumof4 · 04/09/2017 12:16

So I saw my therapist this morning and she told me what I airway knew, that my mental health will suffer if I try to maintain a relationship with him and he needs to get clean on his own. I've decided not to attend the family session tomorrow as I know it will break my heart to see him so I've sent his therapist the following message to pass on:

Dear DH

DD1 heard enough of our conversation last night to be crying and confused, asking me if you had a new girlfriend. I told her everything. About the drugs and that you're in rehab and that you had been seeing another woman and who it was. You owe your daughter an explanation as to why you've blown her family apart and how you plan to make it up to her.

As for me, how physical your relationship became with 'friend' or any other woman for that matter, is irrelevant now. What you admitted to me is enough. You took her on dates while I was at home with the children, you kissed her on multiple occasions. You had feelings for this person and brought her into our home and around my children. You spoke to her about me and our relationship. You lied and gaslighted me, making me feel paranoid and crazy when I was right to suspect you all along. You have disrespected me, disrespected our marriage, our family, shown nothing but disregard for my feelings and shown once and for all that there are no depths to which you will not sink. Why on earth do you expect me to believe that sex with another woman is a line you wouldn't cross when you have violated every promise you made to me and demonstrated that you will cheat, lie and deceive whenever it suits your needs?

The only things that matter now are the facts and the facts are I do not trust you, you have proven yourself untrustworthy and it will take a long time to rebuild enough trust to let you back into my life. Of course moving home after rehab is out of the question. I am withdrawing my support for you and you need to go away without me and get clean on your own. I will ask Your sister to bring the girls to see you next Sunday. You are welcome to call and speak to them anytime. I do not want to talk to you.

I have no idea who you are. I have taken my values that I have and that matter to me; honesty, integrity, family, responsibility, fidelity, and projected them into you. You do not share them and never have. You need to become a better person and a better man and father, not with any promise of reward but because it's the right thing to do. If I am ever 100% convinced that you are a changed man then perhaps we can make another go of our relationship. This will take months if not years. I need to get to know the real you and decide for myself whether that man is somebody I can love.

With regards to 'friend', I leave it up to your conscience whether you continue to maintain a relationship with her. I messaged her to tell her that I know everything. I hope she had a sleepless night considering her life choices just like I did. I've also started telling your mutual friends, and will be totally honest with anybody who asks me why we are not getting back together. This includes my family and your family. You need to face the consequences of your choices and so does she. I hope she chooses to tell her own partner before he hears it from someone else. He deserves to know.

I don't have anything left to say to you. The only thing that matters to me now is your actions. I'm going to concentrate on making myself happy and our beautiful children, who deserve a better man than you.

OP

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 04/09/2017 12:26

Wow. That message is strong, clear and totally brilliant.

He is not worthy of you, that is for sure. Respect.

exhaustedmumof4 · 04/09/2017 12:29

I should clarify that DD1 (8) overheard us arguing on the phone last night when I thought she was asleep. We had told her that daddy was unwell and stressed and was staying somewhere to rest and get better. We hadn't mentioned drugs for obvious reasons. After she partially heard our conversation I had to explain, as she appropriately as I could about addiction and how it makes you do bad things. We had a long talk and I'm glad she knows the truth. She's a smart perceptive child and I think lying causes more harm than good.

OP posts:
ChicRock · 04/09/2017 12:30

I'd take out the bit about if you're ever 100% convinced then you might give it another go.

Other than that it's a great letter.

Brahms3rdracket · 04/09/2017 12:34

Your message is strong, clear and exactly what needed to be said. Well done OP, you're an incredible person Flowers

Kr1stina · 04/09/2017 12:43

Amazing letter

exhaustedmumof4 · 04/09/2017 12:50

I would give him another chance if he stays clean and in therapy and commits to being a better father and man. But not for a good long time.

OP posts:
Kr1stina · 04/09/2017 13:01

So what are the OP and her kids supposed to do with their lives while they wait to see if he gets clean, stays clean and in therapy ?

How many relapses is he allowed ?

How will she monitor his compliance ?

What the hell does " commit to being a better father " mean ? Comittment means jack shit to a lying cheating gaslighting addict .

Kids lives are ruined waiting YEARS for adults to sort themselves out .

WinchestersInATardis · 04/09/2017 13:16

For what it's worth, my son was one of the reasons I left his father. I didn't want him growing up seeing me putting up with endless shit over and over again, and thinking that was a normal relationship.

Brahms3rdracket · 04/09/2017 13:18

@Kr1stina who are you directing your questions to?

Reign your aggression in, this is a matter only op can decide. Your post was unnecessary and unhelpful.

SandyY2K · 04/09/2017 13:35

I think your letter is brilliant.

LondonHuffyPuffy · 04/09/2017 14:00

Kr1stina did you mean to rant at exhaustedmumof4 ? Or did you think that was someone else trying to advise her?

Kr1stina · 04/09/2017 14:19

I didn't rant. It was my opinion. I work with kids who have been abused and neglected because of parental addiction.

I'm concerned that women and kids are always told to put up with crap because of men's feelings.

The Op and her kids are the most important people here.

But you are totally right, I thought that was another poster who was telling her to stay. Apologies . I'm on the phone and it doesn't show up the colours of posts.

Brahms3rdracket · 04/09/2017 14:22

@Kr1stina fair enough, easy mistake

AnyFucker · 04/09/2017 15:17

Kristina is right. The adults have a choice here, the children do not.

XJerseyGirlX · 04/09/2017 15:45

OP, TBH would it be easier to cut your loses and run?

It doesn't sound like he adds much to your life, being with him seems like one hard work hurdle after another.. is it really worth it?

Ummmmgogo · 04/09/2017 15:46

op you sound like you are doing so so well. have you told your real life friends and family about the cocaine and cheating? if not, please consider telling them the more real life support you can get, the better xxx

XJerseyGirlX · 04/09/2017 15:49

sorry OP, for some reason it was only showing 2 pages. Hope your ok x

ChicRock · 04/09/2017 15:50

I'm with Kristina which is why I said take out the bit about giving him another chance.

How long are you prepared to wait OP?

No matter how much counselling you do, no matter what plans you put in place, no matter what you do, while you're still open to a reconciliation with him and you're "waiting" then you're not really moving forward.

exhaustedmumof4 · 04/09/2017 17:18

I'm not waiting. Im doing what I've been doing for a long time, getting on with it. I'm not rushing to file for divorce from the man I've been with for 14 years. I've removed him from my home and from my life and I'll be over here doing my thing. What exactly am I supposed to move on to? Another relationship? Not high on my list of demands right now.

OP posts:
thestamp · 04/09/2017 17:41

You're amazing op. You really are.

My advice, divorce him asap so that you can get money moved out of his hands and into yours. Don't allow him to retain access to money that you need for your DC. I'm a little worried that if you hold over his head the idea that you might divorce him, that he may go on a bender at a later date, out of spite, and dispose of large sums of money.

The reason this alarm bell rings for me is that he only went to rehab when you said you'd leave him. I believe his drug behaviour is his weapon with you, he wields it in whatever way he feels will get you to do what works for him. You're ending things? He goes to rehab. You don't like the outcome of rehab (him cataloging his lies etc)? Well fine he will pack it in then. That makes you go back to wanting divorce? Fine then he will snort away a six figure sum (or whatever) and we will see how well a settlement might go for you. Etc.

Be careful op. I sense this man will take up any weapon against you. To do what he has done, to refuse to step up when his long term partner has twins by him, to gaslight and dissimulate like this... It takes a ruthless, breathtakingly entitled person.

If you start to divorce now you will make the clean break that might actually test him and show him capable of reforming.

If he does reform you can always take him back. Without mingling finances ever again. Which is a better way to love an addict in any case - let him be fully responsible for himself.

If he doesn't reform, you will have taken back control at the right time.

As long as there is a soft place for him to fall, he will make it so that he only needs to prove enough to you that you'll let him fall to it...

AnyFucker · 04/09/2017 17:56

Insightful thoughts from thestamp there. Please listen, op.

This man will unish you for taking away his first love.

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