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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

Why do I attract alcoholics/addicts?

115 replies

NC1769456 · 01/01/2021 20:23

Or maybe the question should be why am I drawn to them?

NC as outing.

My dad was an alcoholic and a drug addict. My mum covered it up for him. My mum was vacant and never showed any love. I've had NC with my dad since I was 18 (I'm 34 now). My ex of 10 years was/is also an alcoholic and his mum died of liver failure due to alcoholism and his dad is also an alcoholic. My ex cheated on me, left me for the OW and then she dumped him because of his drinking he came running back. I, thankfully, didn't take him back. We have a 5 year old son together.

I have been dating a guy for 4 months (known each other 2 years) and we have only shared a couple glasses of wine together. He's been known to disappear for 12-24 hours at a time but I didn't think anything of it really. His ex (the mother of his children) messaged this today essentially saying he's an alcoholic and that she'd had to go get their children this morning as their eldest had called to say she couldn't wake him up. She told me everything. They'd broken up due to his drinking (and other addictions). He appears to be a binge drinker rather than a daily drinker, which I guess is why I didn't notice.

I'm sat here thinking maybe I'm doing something? Am I drawn to these men? How do I stop myself in the future making the same continuous mistakes?

OP posts:
TicTacTwo · 01/01/2021 22:34

A lot of addicts are in denial about their issues with alcohol.
A lot of people get pissed on a Friday or Saturday night and your ex probably sees himself as similar to these people. Binge drinking is more acceptable than drinking daily and not being to hold down a job etc
He was never going to admit to his shortcomings so early on even if he was a rare person who was aware of his addiction. People are on their best behaviour for the first few months in relationships and addicts are the best people are lying and deceiving.

NC1769456 · 01/01/2021 22:37

@Aquamarine1029 I just can't stop crying. I wrote the post like "why is this happening to me" and every comment has been like "well duh" (in a lovely, supportive way). I'm going to do some research tomorrow (when I'm less ugly crying). Can't thank you enough. Can't thank all of you enough.

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HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 01/01/2021 22:40

I really wish you well,you and your son.

NC1769456 · 01/01/2021 22:40

@TicTacTwo yes so true. I'm used to my ex (father of my son) drinking daily. Getting snappy come 3pm, getting tetchy when the off licence was about to shut, going mental if I didn't buy him drink when I went shop, calling in sick to work etc etc. I never considered this guy could have a drink problem (yes there were signs that obviously I overlooked) but I'd spent 3 days at a time with him with no hint of the alcoholism I'd been used to.

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NC1769456 · 01/01/2021 22:41

@HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee thank you for opening my eyes ❤️.

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sproutburger · 01/01/2021 22:56

Of course you're upset, something that you'd put your love and hopes in hasn't worked out. But it's really positive that you acted quickly.

For the future, don't settle for someone you need to "fix" - I don't think you can really change a person deep down and it's not fair on them to be asked to fundamentally change.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 01/01/2021 23:04

You’re a smart woman,you simply asked what you suspected,you had a niggle

Wiredforsound · 01/01/2021 23:13

Because you’re the child of an alcoholic you’re less likely to see ‘alcoholic behaviours’ as a red flag, because they’ve been normalised for you and your parents have role modelled a set of behaviours to you. For someone not used to it, a relationship with someone who drank heavily would likely fizzle out very quickly because they’d be able to see quite quickly that their new romantic partner was engaging in risky behaviour. You don’t have that ‘this is not normal’ valve, which is one of the reasons you end up this people like that. You don’t have the ‘spidey senses’ for a dodgy bloke. In the meantime, stay away from that new guy. You really don’t need that hassle in your life.

Onward · 01/01/2021 23:35

Another vote here for the book "women who love too much" by Robin Norwood. Very eye opening x

Dery · 01/01/2021 23:41

Women are not rehab centres for dysfunctional men. It has already been mentioned but really bears repeating: please read Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood. It deals with exactly the issues you are struggling with. It will blow your mind. If you have a Kindle download it right now and start reading. If not, get hold of a copy ASAP.

NC1769456 · 01/01/2021 23:42

@Onward thank you! I've ordered it (got to love Amazon Prime)!

@Wiredforsound yes that makes sense. I think that's what makes this hurt more is my ex was abusive which is why I didn't rush into anything with this guy. He made so much effort to show me what was "normal" and all the while he was drinking and passing out and then messaging the next day to say "whoops fell asleep" at 6pm 🤔.

I'm proud of myself for saying no to doing this again. I've deactivated my FB profile as I think a break will do me good. Still ugly crying but at least I know it's me that needs to change. One step at a time 😊.

OP posts:
NC1769456 · 01/01/2021 23:44

@Dery book ordered! Should arrive tomorrow or Sunday at the latest 🤞.

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BillMasheen · 02/01/2021 00:32

@HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee

You’re a smart woman,you simply asked what you suspected,you had a niggle
Keep reading this post.

You nailed it, you really did. You should be proud. X

Thelnebriati · 02/01/2021 00:40

The dynamic you are familiar with is called the Karpman Drama Triangle. There are 3 positions; Victim, Persecutor and Rescuer. Your interactions feel comfortable if they follow the familiar pattern and so you feel that person and you are a good fit. and they feel the same way about you.

When you offered to be there for your partner, you entered the role of Rescuer;
themindfool.com/use-the-karpman-drama-triangle-to-solve-conflicts/

www.karpmandramatriangle.com/

HopeClearwater · 02/01/2021 00:57

I’m just coming on here to say that this is a brilliant thread with brilliant advice and I’m speaking from bitter experience - I’m an adult child of an alcoholic and I ended up marrying one. I just didn’t see the warning signs because it had been normalised for me growing up. In fact I thought heavy drinking in men was the norm rather than the exception.

I also recommend Al-Anon and the NACOA. The more you understand about your response to addiction in others, the better you’ll be able to look after yourself and your child. Good luck.

milkysmum · 02/01/2021 01:12

Been there. Currently divorcing H after realising his problems were not mine to solve.
Somebody on here recommend this book and it really was helpful in understanding patterns and traps you find yourself in.

www.amazon.co.uk/Codependent-No-More-Controlling-Yourself/dp/0894864025/ref=nodl_

milkysmum · 02/01/2021 01:14

Co dependant no more by Melody Beatie

Why do I attract alcoholics/addicts?
Whydidimarryhim · 02/01/2021 02:55

Hi please look up Adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families - it’s a 12 step group - it really gets to the root of our childhood issues - I’d recommend it over all over 12 step groups - unless your an alcoholic - there are traits we carry - one of them is being over responsible for others - your childhood made you an enabler - it isn’t your fault - the work is painful though - but it’s healing,
About alcoholics - we didn’t cause their issues, we cannot control it and we certainly cannot cure it.
Good luck.

NC1769456 · 02/01/2021 06:04

Woke up this morning to a FB message from him (I had blocked him on WhatsApp and removed him as a friend on FB and even deactivated my FB account) literally just saying "Please don't end us. I need you so bad. Please can we try and get through this." And spent half hour crying.

I then read the link @Thelnebriati posted which was beautifully timed. I haven't replied to his message as yet as I still want to be supportive and I have to keep kicking myself when I think "oh but maybe I can just be his friend and help him".

I've purchased the other book thank you @milkysmum.

And thanks @Whydidimarryhim I will go back through this post later today and make a note of everything so it's a little less overwhelming.

Just need to stop crying now!

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NC1769456 · 02/01/2021 06:06

@HopeClearwater thank you! I have a lot to look into Smile.

OP posts:
Pinkyandthebrainz · 02/01/2021 07:15

Google 'baggage reclaim florence nightingale' and read the top two blog posts that show on the search list. Baggage reclaim is a brilliant blog about dating and relationships.

heyday · 02/01/2021 07:30

You want to try and 'fix' these people? In their minds, they are not broken and definitely do not want to be fixed. They will certainly want a mug around though who puts up with their selfish, wretched behaviour. They will lie, steal, promise the earth and sell their soul (and yours) to the devil for their next fix. It is you who is broken. Broken by the craziness of your dysfunctional childhood. Get some counselling and keep your precious, impressionable son away from these addicts that you seem to crave.

NC1769456 · 02/01/2021 07:41

*@Pinkyandthebrainz thank you! I read both links and it really hit home. Like she was talking to me.

Everything in life is a choice, and while it may seem like it’s them that has you caught up in this situation, that’s giving them just far too much credit and power. Even though it may make you miserable, you are actively making this choice because this familiar uncomfortable works for you, albeit dysfunctionally.

@heyday thank you for your comment! I'm definitely going to get help and fully appreciate that it's me that's broken. I'd like to say that my 5 year old has never met my father nor has he met the guy I had been dating (he has no idea he even exists). I feel terribly guilty that his father is his father but there's nothing I can do about that.

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CodenameVillanelle · 02/01/2021 07:58

You can block him on Facebook and you really must. He's not respecting your boundaries by begging you to support him and that's because he knows you're vulnerable.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 02/01/2021 08:25

@NC1769456

Woke up this morning to a FB message from him (I had blocked him on WhatsApp and removed him as a friend on FB and even deactivated my FB account) literally just saying "Please don't end us. I need you so bad. Please can we try and get through this." And spent half hour crying.

I then read the link @Thelnebriati posted which was beautifully timed. I haven't replied to his message as yet as I still want to be supportive and I have to keep kicking myself when I think "oh but maybe I can just be his friend and help him".

I've purchased the other book thank you @milkysmum.

And thanks @Whydidimarryhim I will go back through this post later today and make a note of everything so it's a little less overwhelming.

Just need to stop crying now!

Ugh. That's a textbook self pitying, pathetic, please be my Mummy drunk.

Don't respond. Just block - it avoids you having to go through the fake 'saying goodbye, there's nothing left for me in this world now you don't love me' messages as well.

You have a safe, warm, clean house, you have an income with which to pay the bills - you were a target, a mark to draw in, make comfortable and then completely take the piss out of for the next twenty years. Bet it wouldn't be long before he was saying about how awful/cold/damp/expensive his flat is or that the landlord is talking about selling up with the intention that you would offer for him to move in with you for free.

Any attempt to be 'his friend and help him' will be seen by him as a weakness to be exploited. And the fact that you've ended it would become weaponised against you should you be persuaded that he really isn't drinking anymore/is trying sooo hard/can't do it without you - eventually, you'd get 'Well, you dumped me. You make me so insecure. You are probably cheating on me all the time. You broke MY HEART' - when you aren't getting the usual 'Oh, I'm just tired, I've got a headache [falls over his own feet because he's so pissed]'.

He knows that angry, aggressive drunk wouldn't work with you because you'd have seen through it. So he removes your agency by making you feel helpless because he's not being violent. You put up with far worse from your ex, so 'how can you put me in the same category as him, when he did.....?' [sob, sob, wail, howl]. Most likely he'll shrink away from you if you move your hand a bit quickly, ostentatiously jump if you drop something, all to make you feel that this poor defenceless ickle boy was probably violently abused by his ex and you're scaring the poor love with your actions. He's trying to insidiously cast you as the aggressor and himself as the poor victim.

Save yourself for a change. Block him. Ignore and block him again if he finds another way to contact you. Change your locks if he's ever had access to your keys. You can avoid wasting your time and emotions on somebody whose one true love is actually alcohol, not you, their children or their ex.

Cry for being lied to. But don't be his friend. He doesn't want a friend. He wants everything he can take from you, preferably from getting you to think that you are offering it freely, as there's less effort involved that way for him.

Block, block, block.