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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

How stop being an enabler?

33 replies

endoftether51 · 05/12/2020 21:06

DH's drinking is a problem and I think at times I have downplayed it and not made an issue for an easy life
But now I'm so beyond sick of it
Please tell me how to not be an enabler / get him help / support him as this will cause the end of our marriage eventually

OP posts:
pointythings · 06/12/2020 20:23

You're starting to detach. You're finding support for yourself. You'd asked him to leave (and no, don't let him back). These are all good steps. Well done.

Ultimately, not enabling him means making him take the consequences of his choice to drink. That's what you're doing now. It means you let him know in the toughest way that you will not remain in this marriage if he does not accept and address his drinking problem - and you have to mean it.

It may also mean the end of your marriage. If you're finding him drunk in the morning with your 1yo, he's far gone already. You're in a good financial position - st so follow through if you have to. It's what's best for your kids.

Above all, keep posting here. There are a lot of women here who have been where you are now (I'm one). We will support you to do what is best for yourself and your DC. We aren't here for him and nor should you be - his circus, his monkeys.

endoftether51 · 06/12/2020 20:29

I think he will be living with his dm a good while as I'm not letting him back
I'm sure as soon as he realises I'm serious his apologies will soon turn to sniping and attacking my character again
I'm not perfect myself but he brings out the worse in me . 99% of our arguments start because of his drinking and his attempts to make me feel like I'm imagining it
Prick

OP posts:
Sssloou · 06/12/2020 20:35

I am sorry that you had an alcoholic mother. Have a look at Adult Children of Alcoholics website - it’s v supportive. They have a daily email with short helpful ideas that you can subscribe to.

I am sorry that your motherhood has been polluted by this man and that your baby’s short life is similarly tainted by his behaviour and also your preoccupation and desperation with him.

You can’t be in two emotional places at once - so when you are strung out wrapped up in the futile game with him you can’t be building the best bond with your baby and you will both suffer from this whilst nothing is achieved with his alcoholism either. Your baby currently is short changed as only has one parent (you) because the other one isn’t mentally present and is actively dangerous physically and emotionally.

Take yourself away from this person so that your baby has more of you and you can both live in a calm and peaceful home which will allow your baby a healthy emotional development.

Don’t waste anymore time. I hope that you find the clarity to see what needs to be done here. Al Anon will help you.

pointythings · 06/12/2020 20:35

You need to be aware that what he is doing is typical alcoholic behaviour. This isn't about you not being perfect. This is about you getting between him and the one thing he loves above all else - booze. So he gaslights you, he attacks you, he minimises it, he makes you feel it's all you being oversensitive. This is the addiction talking.

My late husband was an alcoholic and he did it all. I gave him an ultimatum, he did rehab, it failed, I started divorce proceedings, it all went to hell and the police were involved and not long after he moved out, he died. He did massive damage to all of us - DD1 (nearly 20) is just coming to the end of therapy. DD2 (almost 18) has PTSD and knows she will need more therapy. I've had therapy and counselling myself. Your kids are still young - get them out now.

Late 2018 we found my late husband's notes from rehab. In them, he blamed me for everything. He never accepted he had a problem. Rehab was always going to fail because of that. That is how powerful alcoholism is. Stay strong, do not ever, ever blame yourself for being a normal, fallible, not addicted human being.

PM me if you want individual support.

Sssloou · 07/12/2020 18:27

How are you feeling today @endoftether51?

endoftether51 · 07/12/2020 19:09

@Sssloou trying not to think about it, too busy with work
Haven't heard anything from him

OP posts:
Sssloou · 07/12/2020 20:41

I hope you know that there is support for you and your baby in lots of different places when you are ready.

Sssloou · 09/12/2020 20:15

Hope that you have had a peaceful few days. Have you heard anything back yet from Al Anon @endoftether51

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