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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

Alcohol problems - should I walk

202 replies

crappyday2018 · 18/08/2018 16:54

I think deep down I already know the answer to this but it doesn't make it any easier. Been seeing a guy for 8 months now. Mainly only see him every other weekend with my DC being here most of the time.
I have very strong feelings for him and he genuinely seems to love and adore me. However, his life is in a right mess after his divorce and he isn't working and living back at his parents. He has told me he has been signed off unfit for work at the moment due to his OCD which I found odd as I've never seen any signs of this. I started to have suspicions about his drinking a while ago so I confronted him. He completely denied he had a problem and said he wouldn't drink at all anymore if that't what I wanted as I was more important to him.
So the other day, he left some stuff on my table that had been in his pockets and one of them was a 'fit to work' note from his doctor saying he is unfit for work due to 'alcohol problems/drinking'.

Obviously I'm devastated as this just tells me he clearly does have a problem and its way bigger than I realised (not to mention he's been lying).
I've not confronted him about the doctor's note yet. I'm worried he will try to wriggle his way out of it.
Not sure what advice I'm asking for but I'm genuinely gutted as I just can't get involved with someone in this sort of mess. My ex's brother died from alcohol abuse so I see what it can do to people.

OP posts:
pointythings · 29/08/2018 12:16

Mumof5x in threads like these it's really, really important to RTFT before commenting...

pointythings · 29/08/2018 12:19

I agree with Attila. I did a parenting course specifically aimed at parents who were divorced or divorcing. It was all about the best way to support your children in that situation, it was completely non-judgemental and I learned a lot. About half of us were there because we had self-referred in.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/08/2018 12:20

Address your fear of being alone properly through counselling, I think that would help you no end.

Your fear of being alone probably also led you into choosing an unsuitable person like this alcoholic man to enter into a relationship with. Any codependency issues you have also made you an ideal foil for someone like he too.

There is a French saying, "Better to be alone than to be so badly accompanied". Love your own self for a change OP. I have no idea whatsoever of your relationship history but if it is a series of repeatedly disasterous relationships, then you need to reassess completely both your approach to relationships and what you have learnt about those to date. You also need to examine what your parents taught you about relationships when you were growing up too.

What do you want to teach your son about relationships and what is he learning here?.

crappyday2018 · 29/08/2018 12:22

pointythings thank you. I actually posted another thread about counselling so I need to look into that. In fact I'm going to do it today! I think I get free counselling sessions through work.
The housing situation will be sorted soon, I suppose it just hits homes I'm a single parent when I have to think about how I'm going to dismantle wardrobes and beds etc. Mind you, I'm very capable so I'm sure all that will be fine (and friends have offered to help).

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Mumof5x · 29/08/2018 12:23

Sorry i feel bad that I didn't read all the way down! I think to be honest it was prob for the best. If this was a relashionship you had invested years in maybe things would be different. I for one have wasted many many years of my life in long relashionships with men that turned out were terrible for me. Im currently am in 7 year marriage that has produced my youngest two Dds with the most wonderful man who adores me and my children is literally my best friend but also has an addiction problem. It's utterly heart breaking and soul destroying and I ask myself daily why I didn't see any signs. I seem to make horrible choices in men so am not really one to give advice haha. I'm exhusted by it all to be honest but will not give up or stop trying (for our family's sake if nothing else) maybe we will make it (maybe not) its just all very very sad and I am so tired from it all. I'm glad you made a firm choice. Now stick to it and go and be happy!!!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/08/2018 12:25

BACP are also good re counselling and they do not always charge the earth either.

Freely take all help that is offered to you. You will get through this difficult time as will your son.

pointythings · 29/08/2018 12:44

I think that like me, you need to spend some time being single, finding out who you really are and what you want your life to be - and then going out there and getting it. My H and I were together for 25 years - literally half my life! - so I am going to take it slooooowly and enjoy being single. I'm lucky in that my DDs are older than your DS (15 and 17) and are in most ways the easiest teens in the world, but I have opened myself up to being a single parent and it really isn't all bad. Do address your feelings in counselling though - it's why I have no intention of quitting my support group for relatives of people with addictions. They are literally a lifeline.

crappyday2018 · 29/08/2018 12:46

Mumof5x don't worry, it was a long thread. So sorry to hear your DH has an addiction problem. My ex BIL died from alcoholism so I think that is what has made me end things with ex. I can't risk my DC seeing any of that again.
I too clearly am terrible at picking men.

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crappyday2018 · 29/08/2018 12:48

pointythings you are 100% right. I know I rushed into another relationship and that is why I'm in this position now. 16 years with someone and then 8 months later I;m in another intense relationship.
I think the panic of 'being alone' took over so I went OLD when I should have given myself much more time and just waited to meet someone when it was the right time.

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pointythings · 29/08/2018 12:54

Mumof5 it is not giving up when you end a relationship because staying in it is the worse option. You need to think of your DCs - what harm is life with someone in active addiction doing them? Asking myself that question is what made me end my relationship and seeing how my DDs have blossomed has validated that decision - even now that my H is dead, killed by his addiction.

Don't stay to keep the family together or because you feel you have to, or for better and for worse. Find a support group for families of people with addictions - Al-Anon for alcohol but there are others - and learn about boundaries. It all starts with that.

crappyday2018 · 29/08/2018 13:11

It was actually my DC that made me end things. If I had no DC I probably would have stuck it out and tried to help him (refer back to my comment about picking the wrong men). I saw my ex BIL's behaviour and how it affected the kids cos they were close to him. I'd never forgive myself if I brought a known alcoholic into their lives again. Not to mention what my ex would say if he found out.

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springydaff · 30/08/2018 08:08

Well done for doing this. You've done the right thing, even though the road feels bumpy at the moment. This really will pass, hold on Flowers

crappyday2018 · 30/08/2018 08:59

springydaff thank you, each day does get a bit easier.

I still worry about him though and I think that will take longer to shake. He has gone AWOL I think at the moment (he used to do this occasionally) so I suspect he might be on a bender.

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another20 · 30/08/2018 11:16

crappy you have done an amazing thing for your son. He is struggling with his own family break-up and needs your compassion and TLC (that you obviously have in spades) focused on him not drained by some lying, toxic, loser who has already wrecking his own family. If you look at your son’s behaviour as a result of his emotional pain and seek ways to address that rather than looking it as just bad teenager behaviour that needs punishing you will have a much better outcome for you both. It’s v tough and as others have said it’s impossible to know what to do yourself so seek professional advice / support for parenting so that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. In my experience this isn’t reading a few books but needs more active engagement either through a face to face support group or one on one or family counselling. You can make this all better for your son. As others have said, listen to him, reconsider what HE wants and needs through contact.

You have a lot on your plate right now / but you have achieved an awful lot. Split it out to separate tasks and focus on each in turn - try not to let one overwhelm the other.

Focus on your son, give him time, listen, support and give him what he needs emotionally. This will have a massive payback for you both.

Work hard at the NC. Each hour and day is a major success. Be proud of putting in the distance.

Get some counselling for YOU. I can see lots of co-dep behaviours in your posts, in your friendship as well as relationship behaviours and choices. This is a part of you that you need to attend to and change otherwise you will be back to square one.

Manage the house move - see if you and your son can do it positively as a team effort - give him some responsibility to plan and take action - a healthy strong boy will feel great taking apart furniture, packing etc and it will lighten your load.

Good luck - keep focused.
PS are you still in contact with ex by text? Or was that a typo?

crappyday2018 · 30/08/2018 11:41

another20 thank you for your kind words. Its nice to hear. I have just been told I can get free counselling sessions through work so have been in touch to get the ball rolling.
I really want to work on myself now. I did tell them about my son too so hopefully that can be covered in the sessions or I can sort that separately.
No, I'm not in touch with him. My friend has been to arrange return of his stuff but I've not contacted him since I ended things. Perhaps when I mentioned ex earlier in my posts I was talking about my DC father.

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crappyday2018 · 09/09/2018 14:26

Struggling today. I still miss him. I'm hungover too which doesn't help. Sounds stupid but I keep thinking all my friends are at home, nursing their hangovers with their partners looking after them,. I'm sat, miserable on my own thinking about how he should be here with me too.
I started counselling last week so I;m hoping that will help.

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another20 · 09/09/2018 14:44

Have you done a whole week NC?

crappyday2018 · 09/09/2018 14:53

No I am a complete idiot and that is why I;m feeling like this. I had unblocked him a while ago when I nearly messaged him (he sent a message to my friend which made me a little mad). Thankfully I didn't message him though but never re-blocked him.
He must have realised he could message me again last night so started sending me messages saying he missed me etc. So, this morning I sent him a message saying that I was sorry but I'd have to block him again as I couldn't continue allowing contact because it was too difficult etc. I have now blocked him again.

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LadyFlangeWidget · 09/09/2018 15:06

Placemark8ng

crappyday2018 · 09/09/2018 15:15

Sorry am ranting a bit today. I also can't help but feel angry that he still doesn't seem to acknowledge why I ended things. He hasn't event attempted to promise change. Promising to change/get help etc wouldn't actually make any difference to me but for some reason, it might make me feel like he actually gave a sh8t.
He has essentially chosen a life of drinking, not working and living with his parents over me. Its not nice.

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another20 · 09/09/2018 15:20

He has essentially chosen a life of drinking, not working and living with his parents over me. Its not nice.

Yes he chose that many years ago over his wife and his own child.

You just need to accept that and move on. Block and DELETE.

How is your DS doing?

crappyday2018 · 09/09/2018 15:22

another20 yes I know. This is all my own fault for not blocking and deleting at the beginning so I've only myself to blame.
My DS has been pretty good recently. I think the return to school routine has helped. We just have to get this house move out of the way and then hopefully things will settle for him a bit more.

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another20 · 09/09/2018 15:30

Good to hear your DS is settling. Keep up the good work and continue to focus your finite head--space and prioritise your energy on his emotional needs - this will really pay off for you both.

Use the precious counselling sessions to resolve deeper issues within you - do not waste that time discussing some toxic drunk!

PerverseConverse · 09/09/2018 15:37

This is why I always say block AND delete then you can't be tempted to contact him and he can't contact you. By not doing so you're holding yourself back from moving on. You want him to realise that you are worth giving up alcohol for and want him to realise the error of his ways. Unfortunately as all alcoholics do until they hit rock bottom, he's chosen to keep drinking over being with you. That hurts terribly but that's just the way it is with addicts. You can't fix him. His life is his problem, not yours. Time to get on with your life now and relegate him to the past where he belongs.

crappyday2018 · 09/09/2018 16:28

PerverseConverse yes of course you are right and I knew this. I'm angry at myself cos I had 3 weeks of NC and was starting to feel better. Now I'm thinking about it all again and am almost back to square one again. My rational head knows he is an addict and that will always come first.
I will bring this up at my next counselling session too.

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