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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:
Ticketyboots · 24/12/2022 19:21

You have given your children the best Christmas gift which will last a life time and will get bigger and better every day.

You have given them a calm and peaceful home.

You have given them certainty and emotional safety in which to grow and develop to their true potential with a happy and light Mum taking care of them.

I bet they don’t recognise this wonderful Mum who has so much more energy, emotional capacity and joy for them.

Only thing I would say is to prepare in your head and heart for his slow demise. He will likely lose his job. He will lose money and maybe the roof over his head. He will develop chronic illnesses or maybe have an accident. So just never rely on him for money or childcare - and be crystal clear in your mind that if / when these things happen you will not feel obligated to pick up the pieces.

Continue to protect and prioritise what you have fought so hard for for your DCs, their calm and peaceful home and their MH.

Prepare for the worst - but hope for the best. He might hit his rock bottom and turn it around for your DCs - I hope he does but they will need to be robust and emotionally resilient if he doesn’t.

Enjoy your hard earned Christmas and onwards for a better 2023.

Be desperately proud of what you have achieved.

Holliegee · 28/12/2022 11:39

@Ticketyboots that is fabulous advice x very wise and very honest - I wish you’d have advised me, when things were bad.

Ticketyboots · 28/12/2022 12:34

Holliegee · 28/12/2022 11:39

@Ticketyboots that is fabulous advice x very wise and very honest - I wish you’d have advised me, when things were bad.

I am really sad to read your story.

It’s painful and all too familiar - it’s dysfunction that goes through the generations as DC MH is compromised during their important developmental years.

Have you sought any professional support for the long term impact on you?

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