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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

Please help me leave alcoholic husband

153 replies

Namele · 19/08/2021 21:52

My husband is a high functioning alcoholic. He always liked a drink. We met when I was in my early 20s and we used to have a very active social life mostly revolving around the pub. I didn't see any problem with that at the time and we would only ever go out at a weekend. Things have gotten progressively worse. We are now in our late 30s/ early 40s. We have 2 young DC and my husband holds down a high pressured job. There are other issues in his family life too. He drinks to cope with stress. He still doesn't drink during the week and usually manages to keep his drinking at weekends down to 2 bootles of wine and a few beers (still a lot in my opinion, I'm not a big drinker). He has had instances where he would go on a week long bender and just drink from morning to night. So far he's been hospitalised twice, once for severe dehydration the other because he hurt himself whilst drunk (fell).
At the start of the year, after yet another drunken Christmas, I contacted a solicitor to discuss divorce. My husband made promises to change. I felt I owed it to the kids to try. He stopped drinking, started therapy and for a few months life was great. I fell back in love with him. The kids, especially our eldest were benefiting from having an involved dad and we were happy.
I finally agreed to sell our house and look for something bigger. Something he's wanted to do for ages but I was reluctant to do due to the situation. We've accepted an offer on our house but haven't actually completed or found anywhere to move to yet. The kids are excited about moving to a bigger house.
That pipe dream has burst. H is currently asleep on the sofa next to me after having been drinking for the last 2 days. He had a massive go at me earlier when I asked him to confirm plans we had for tomorrow.
He had another fall off the wagon 3 weeks ago where he was drinking for 5 days, missing work in the process.
I'm done and he needs to go. I feel so stupid for falling for his lies again and again. It's affecting our DC, it's affecting me, it's no way to live. Even when he's sober, I'm constantly on edge.
I need someone to keep pushing me to leave. He'll sober up, say all the right things, may even do them for a bit but it won't be long before the house of cards falls down again.
I think I'm scared of how hard it will be. The kids don't fully understand, they will be heart broken. The big house they've been imagining is going to be a much smaller house as that's all I'll be able to afford. We'll be OK financially but no where near as comfortable as now. I just keep coming up with excuses.
Sorry this is long and I'm rambling. Just getting this down on "paper". Thank you for reading if you're still here.

OP posts:
pointythings · 24/08/2021 10:59

Do the solicitor appointment first and get the divorce started. Then tell him calmly that you are divorcing him and that he will hear from your solicitor in the near future. Then whatever he does, don't give in to it and let matters take their course.

Namele · 24/08/2021 12:03

Wow, he just said to me that we needed to talk tonight so that we can coordinate our house search and make sure we are not both going for the same rental properties etc. and shoot ourselves in the foot. Maybe the message has sunk in. I'm actually speechless.

OP posts:
Beelzebop · 24/08/2021 12:44

That may well be a strategy to knock you off kilter.

Beelzebop · 24/08/2021 12:45

Apparently because I text my DH at work with important stuff it's my fault he's the way he is.

pointythings · 24/08/2021 12:46

Just take any reasonableness at face value and look out for anything that's aimed at sucking you back in. And don't commit to anything financial or child-related until you have seen that solicitor.

Namele · 24/08/2021 12:51

You are right of course. He may well be trying to use this as scare tactic to reel me back in but at least it is going to open up communication. I need to understand what his intentions are re childcare arrangements too. I can't really trust him to look after the kids for any extended period. Will need to speak to solicitor about the house sale tomorrow too. Is it best to pull out and sort finances first or do we sell the house as planned in which case what will happen with the equity? If we agree on the finances quickly will that mean I can buy a house rather than going into rented which will be difficult, plus I'll have all that equity sitting in my account preventing me from claiming UC for childcare costs. Just so many possibilities and so much to think about. Renting is really not financially advantageous for me. Is there anything else I need to discuss with the solicitor? I have had an initial consultation with them earlier this year and am aware of the basics etc and steps to undertake, just wondering if there is anything pressing that needs to be clarified?

OP posts:
Namele · 24/08/2021 12:58

@Beelzebop

Apparently because I text my DH at work with important stuff it's my fault he's the way he is.
Interesting way of looking at it. Of course if you didn't text him the important stuff that would also be your fault because he's not kept in the loop. Hmm
OP posts:
Beelzebop · 24/08/2021 13:03

I'm sorry, but I don't believe anything now. So yes, treat statements at face value and note everything. Also, protect everything. He will be reasonable until he isn't.

SixesAndEights · 24/08/2021 13:10

I wouldn't pull out of the house sale. At least with that done, it's one hurdle out of the way and you can go your separate ways quickly. See what the solicitor says.

Christmasfairy2020 · 24/08/2021 19:47

Also do you have life insurance. If so don't get rid of him on the policy. If he binges he won't survive as long. This sounds awful but I've told my dh (blood tests show and scan showed fatty liver) that if he carries on he will die but main thing is he is insured. Terrible thing to say but it's the reality

Christmasfairy2020 · 24/08/2021 19:49

@Beelzebop so hard isn't it how old is your husband. Xx

Muchmorethan · 24/08/2021 22:52

When XH was clearing his belongings out he found his old bike that was only fit for the tip. I offered to drive and meet him at the tip if he rode it there.

XH said that it didn't have any breaks. Told him not to worry as he's insured....

I was only half joking...Wink

Muchmorethan · 24/08/2021 22:53
  • brakes
Namele · 25/08/2021 10:00

@Muchmorethan

When XH was clearing his belongings out he found his old bike that was only fit for the tip. I offered to drive and meet him at the tip if he rode it there.

XH said that it didn't have any breaks. Told him not to worry as he's insured....

I was only half joking...Wink

That actually made me laugh. Unfortunately H has no life insurance. 😕 one of those things he's never gotten round to.
OP posts:
Christmasfairy2020 · 29/08/2021 21:39

How's things going @Namele

Christmasfairy2020 · 31/08/2021 22:46

Hope your OK op x

Namele · 01/09/2021 09:14

I'm sorry I've been silent. Our youngest DC had a serious accident at home and we spent some time in hospital. She's had surgery and is now back at home recovering but it's been all consuming and I've not been able to think straight. H has actually been brilliant which makes this even worse. Think I'm going to need a few days of normality before I can work out what to do next.

OP posts:
pointythings · 01/09/2021 09:17

It's good that your H was brilliant during the tough times, but it doesn't change anything - unless he suddenly realises how fragile the life he takes for granted is and is willing to change his drinking behaviour.

Nothing wrong with taking some time to recover from the shock though, look after yourself. Flowers

Namele · 16/05/2022 13:39

Wow, just reading back on my thread and thought I'd update you.
I would love to tell you all about the fabulous life we all live but unfortunately that's not the case.
After our DDs accident (she's absolutely fine by the way) H stopped drinking. We continued discussing splitting up but I must admit that I found it difficult. We've been together for nearly 20 years and I struggled with throwing that all away. So in the end I stayed. Our house sale fell through and alas we are still here.
H didn't drink for a good couple of months but then slowly the drink crept back in. The odd beer on a Saturday in a beer garden... then 2, and then the beer was in the house. Just before Christmas he went on a works night out and got absolutely wasted. He was drunk for a week. I was livid. Not just was him but me too. Yet I'm still here. Although this time I've been quietly putting things into place. I've got a big promotion at work with another in the pipeline. Financially things look good for me to go it alone. Mentally I was still working on it. I did the freedom program to help with some of his other behaviour. I read a lot, I talked to friends. I've come to terms with things. I've grieved for my marriage.
Right now, he's lying on the sofa recovering from yet another week long binge.
This morning I filed for divorce. It has taken me much longer than it should have done but I am much stronger now. I can do this.
I hope you are all holding up. ❤️

OP posts:
DeskInUse · 16/05/2022 14:06

I remember your thread op, sorry it's not worked out. Well done for having the courage to file...

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/05/2022 14:06

Glad to read that your daughter is now fine after her accident.

Also glad to read you've now filed for divorce after falling prey to the sunken costs fallacy ( this is in reference to your comment, "we've been together for nearly 20 years and I struggled with throwing that all away").

His primary relationship is with drink and not you, its never been infact with you either. You did not cause it, you cannot control it and you cannot cure it. Three truisms which are hard in their own ways to accept too. Alcoholism too is not called "the family disease" either without good reason; you're all affected by his drinking.

You are stronger now and you can do this; keep on quietly with putting things in place. Your child will also thank you for doing all this. If you have not already contacted Al-anon do so as they are very helpful to those affected by another person's drinking. At the very least read their literature.

pointythings · 16/05/2022 14:13

The thing to take away is that you got there in the end. You're also now divorcing under the new no-fault divorce laws, which should help keep some of it from getting really hostile. Your ducks are in a row financially, which is great. Well done, let it all run its course and then start rebuilding your life so you can enjoy your freedom. Above all don't beat yourself up over taking so long - what matters is that you did it.

Namele · 16/05/2022 14:32

@AttilaTheMeerkat sunken cost fallacy is definitely right here. Although now I look at the fact that I've got another 40+years to live and I don't want those years to be anything like the last few years. I'm trying to look forward and look at all the positives of divorcing. It's quite a long list so far. I definitely am in a stronger mental state to approach this then I was last year.

@pointythings thanks. I'm trying to not dwell on the fact that I could and should have left a long time ago. I'm doing it now. The next few months will be tough but it feels right. I'm 40 in a couple of months, this is my birthday present from me. I keep thinking about all the lovely things the kids and I can do without H there who makes everything about him (and the nearest pub). It keeps me going and stops me from falling to pieces.

OP posts:
fairytwinkletastic · 16/05/2022 14:44

@Namele I can't tell you how pleased I am to read the outcome of your update. When this thread popped up, I thought that's my situation! And to my horror I had commented and am indeed in the same situation. So you have filled me with hope at least. Well done you for being so strong.

Namele · 16/05/2022 14:48

@fairytwinkletastic I'm sorry to hear you are also living this nightmare. I've opened up to some friends and been surprised at how many others are out there that have been living with or have family who are alcoholics. If you ever want to talk, feel free to pm me. I've found talking to friends really helpful. We are stronger than you think. ❤️

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