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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

Husband & Alcohol

107 replies

Manc1894 · 02/07/2022 00:20

So I’ve been with my husband now for 8 years and married for 5. In the most part he’s charming, caring and we have very similar interests in things so life should not be better… Except it’s a living hell for what is now being more often than not. As I say he can be so bloody lovely and everything you could ever want, that is until he drinks!

when he drinks it’s like a switch has been flicked and Jekyll transformers into Hyde. As soon as he picks up his first drink of alcohol I instantly tense up and my anxiety starts. The whole time is spend on fragile eggshells and trying my best to keep the mood light and happy, it’s extremely exhausting. Try as I may, it’s just never enough and 9x out of 10 he turns. Sometimes I’m coughed off guard but it’s very very rear this happens, it’s like I have some strange sick sense for it now and I know he’s going to become a arsehole before he does. On this odd occasion where I’m completely knocked over with shock and horror is when we are having a fantastic time with friends and or family and all of a sudden he will start! Complete out of the blue and for absolutely no reason at all, it’s so embarrassing too. Honestly it’s like he just can’t copy with happy emotions or seeing everyone especially me having a laugh and enjoying themselves.

it’ll start with his demeanour and then snippy comments to or about someone or something. Snide remarks and sligh digs to try and get a raise from me or anyone. If that doesn’t work he ups his game and brings out harsher insults and or put downs. This could be absolutely anything it really doesn’t matter as long as he now becomes the centre of attention and everyone has stopped having a great time and is now as miserable as he is, if that doesn’t work, then he pulls out all the stops and starts talking about death and really depressing things and telling stories about how hard his life has been and poor poor me etc etc, he literally has never known a days struggle in his life and everything was and still is handed to him on a silver plate. His life hasn’t ever been shite the only shit situation that have been in his life, so I’ve learned over the years have all been his own making because of drinking and treating people like crap and also thinks he’s better than everyone… so absolutely no sympathy comes his way when he pulls this one and that makes he so so mad.

anyway, so it’s got to the point now where non of our friends will come over or go out and socialise wit us because they know he will kick off and they are sick of it and, I don’t want to go out in public with him because he’s so embarrassing. A few months back we went out for something to eat and he was already half cut by the time our main meal turned up but he decided once we finished we should go to the local pub for a drink. I tried and tried to talk him out of it but he wasn’t having any of it was just kept saying stop being such a boring bitch and let’s go. So to shut him up and try and please him we went. We had not been in there long before he pissed some girls off because he said they all looked like slags very loudly!! I mouthed sorry to them all and gave them a look of please don’t react for my sake, they obviously understood the look coz they said nothing but gave me a knowing nod. A little later on however there really was no getting out of it with a look and a nod. We were sitting in the garden having a drink and a smoke an a grouper of young lads came in, there must have been about 10-12 of them all around 20-25 years old. The boxing was on so they were talking about it and quit lively but not causing any issues at all. My husband then decided to tell them to shut up and called them muggy little c*ts well, you can imagine! One of the very calmly said, what is your problem mate? It’s a pub people talk and it gets loud?… my husband then told him to f-off and shut the F-up. By this point I want the floor to open up and swallow me up! The whole pub is now watch, literally everyone that was inside has now come out because it’s kicking off or about too. I’m begging with him to shut up and let’s go, they are all shouting at him he’s shouting back I’m pleading with him and them it’s an absolute nightmare and honestly, I was getting scared. I figured out who the “leader” of the group was and I went to him and said, please, he’s very pissed and I know that is no excuse to be a c*T but if I get him out now can’t we walk away from this and not be followed home? I stopped and for what felt like a lifetime, had a think and said yes! Get him out of our face and out of this pub now and we will leave it at that, we even shook on it! So I literally grabbed hold of him and dragged him out and convinced him we had to go fast! Obviously one we got away from there he directed it all my way and I became his target but I just did not care at that point I wanted to get home and behind a locked door.

sorry I know I’m rambling, I guess why I’m writing this is to find out if anyone else has this kind of thing with their other half and if so, firstly how are you? How do you put up with it? Why do you put up with it? Has anyone ever got them to see it’s the drink that is the problem or are you just told it’s not the drink at all, even tho you no it damn well is. And finally, did it ever get and better?

many thanks if you ready all of my post, I really appreciate it xx

OP posts:
Manc1894 · 02/07/2022 21:09

crazynell · 02/07/2022 13:52

I've been there too. Get out or get him out. It's your life or his life. He'll bring you down - in fact he has brought you down

My DH was a lovely kind gentle caring man when he was sober and when he was drinking he was abusive to people, rude undermining to me. He'd come home with injuries where he'd picked a fight with people. I picked him up from the street several times and collected him in a drunken stupor from the pub many times. He couldn't stand me doing well so he gatecrashed work parties drunk or the course I was doing socials, he didn't turn up for my MA graduation because I'd done better than him.

I tried to gloss over his drunken behaviour to people but they aren't stupid they knew. We lost most of our friends and stopped having any kind of social life. I put all my efforts into my job where I was doing well. If anyone tried to talk to me about his drinking I blocked them off - it was my coping strategy to keep my life in compartments.
I decided d I decided I'd had enough of the drinking that my life was more important and that I couldn't put up with another 10, 20 , 30

Oh god! Sounds like you really went through it too. Thank you for sharing your experience with this and how you got out of it xx

OP posts:
Manc1894 · 02/07/2022 21:11

Wartywart · 02/07/2022 14:26

An alcoholic is anyone for whom alcohol is causing problems in their lives or the lives of those around them. It doesn't always mean they drink every day, or that they sleep on a park bench clutching a bottle of something wrapped in a brown paper bag.

Your dh is definitely an alcoholic. He's probably got some liver damage by now. I bet he smells revolting the morning after - people who drink too much sweat alcohol and it's a horrible, yeasty, rotting, sweet smell. Why should you put up with that? He's driven away all your friends and had you walking on eggshells. Being at the stage of having to record conversations is not nice. What an arsehole he is.

You hit the nail on the head with the smell, it's horrible and other have commented on it and sometimes you can see people do a face as if to say ew! Fucking hell what is that smell 🤦🏻‍♀️ so embarrassing x

OP posts:
Manc1894 · 02/07/2022 21:25

You lot have certainly given me a lot to think about and hope. I am not saying that's it I'm off and leaving him but talking to you all and hearing your thoughts and experience with this kind of thing has made me see things in a whole new light and I guess finally saying it all out aloud has made me stop making excuses for his bad behaviour and stop kidding myself that it is what it is and at least it's not all the time, coz it's not okay any of the time.

I have a lot going on right now and it's not as easy as just walk away, I will need to get a lot of things in order and sort out a plan before I can leave. It will take time and planning.

The saddest thing is I've been here before 10 years ago and if anything I'm so mad with myself for falling for another abusive Narcissist and what hurts the most is he knew what I'd been thought with my ex and he sold me a dream of a knight in shining armour who understood me, my thoughts and feelings seemed to matter to him and he made me believe that he was absolutely nothing like my ex and even said he hated men like my ex because of what they do to good women like me apparently 🙄 I feel for it hook line and sinker.

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 02/07/2022 23:07

You can’t change him and he doesn’t want to, so what are you going to do?

DontLookBackInAnger1 · 02/07/2022 23:23

You deserve better.

It won't get better, only worse. For your sake, and for those around you, leave him. He's no longer the man he was, you don't deserve to be treated so poorly.

At the very least, please access counselling. They can help you see your true worth and explore why you're putting up with this sorry excuse of a husband.

PerseverancePays · 02/07/2022 23:29

It’s good that you are making a plan. Leaving him doesn’t mean you have to pack your bags right this minute and disappear into the night. Make a plan with distinct steps and start implementing it one step at a time until you have walked out the door properly and safely. Like you said, you know how to do it. Why would you want to spend the rest of your life with someone who is so horrible to you? Be a good friend to yourself and get out of there.

YRGAM · 02/07/2022 23:32

This is utterly horrendous OP, please leave as soon as you can, you deserve so much better

Mememene · 03/07/2022 07:44

Manc1894

Mememene · 03/07/2022 07:48

Mememene · 03/07/2022 07:44

Manc1894

Please don't blame yourself this is nothing to do with your judgement. He's an addict, he has an illness, it's not your fault.

He did want to control it, he can't. It's not that he doesn't love you is that he needs the booze more. Keep planning and leave him when you are ready

Bednobsbroomsticks · 03/07/2022 08:35

Imagine life in another few years. It will be hundred times worse than it is now. No relationships, don't see your kids or grandkids at your family home , isolation abuse and unable to get away. You sound completely broken down by all this yet at same time confused by his behaviour. It is not confusing and he isn't going to change. Unless you want to live a very lonely abusive life get the hell out of there now. It will get worse.

crazynell · 03/07/2022 12:46

@Manc1894 you say you've been there before - don't be angry at yourself. These of men are charismatic and it's easy to get taken in by their big personalities. I made that mistake twice too - I thought I must be mad to do it twice. The first one was a flamboyant creative type who was a would-be writer. He swept me off my feet, but he had another side which was selfish, mean, undermining of me, nit-picking, ogling other women whilst threatening to kill himself if I ever tried to leave him. I did eventually leave him and despite his histrionics he was seeing someone else a few months later.
I thought the 2nd man was completely different- big personality, kind generous, gregarious. I'm from a family of drinkers 2 or three of them died because of their alcoholism. I like pubs and the ambiance of them I love people watching in pubs, I like a drink but I have a safety valve in that I'll get a big hangover so I never drink much. So somehow I didn't ever suspect that no 2 was an alcoholic, he had been undergoing treatment for his drinking when I met him so I naively thought he'd got it under control and would continue to manage it. As the drinking crept up I didn't want to acknowledge it and we're very good at trying to normalise it all.

I did go through a period of feeling intensely angry at myself a few months after I got out, but I'm fine about it now. I understand it and why it happened and I have proved to myself that I can meet someone whose not like the previous two.

So, make a plan, get legal advice, decide when you're going - or when he's going and build a good peaceful life for yourself - get your life back and your family back

Manc1894 · 03/07/2022 13:34

crazynell · 03/07/2022 12:46

@Manc1894 you say you've been there before - don't be angry at yourself. These of men are charismatic and it's easy to get taken in by their big personalities. I made that mistake twice too - I thought I must be mad to do it twice. The first one was a flamboyant creative type who was a would-be writer. He swept me off my feet, but he had another side which was selfish, mean, undermining of me, nit-picking, ogling other women whilst threatening to kill himself if I ever tried to leave him. I did eventually leave him and despite his histrionics he was seeing someone else a few months later.
I thought the 2nd man was completely different- big personality, kind generous, gregarious. I'm from a family of drinkers 2 or three of them died because of their alcoholism. I like pubs and the ambiance of them I love people watching in pubs, I like a drink but I have a safety valve in that I'll get a big hangover so I never drink much. So somehow I didn't ever suspect that no 2 was an alcoholic, he had been undergoing treatment for his drinking when I met him so I naively thought he'd got it under control and would continue to manage it. As the drinking crept up I didn't want to acknowledge it and we're very good at trying to normalise it all.

I did go through a period of feeling intensely angry at myself a few months after I got out, but I'm fine about it now. I understand it and why it happened and I have proved to myself that I can meet someone whose not like the previous two.

So, make a plan, get legal advice, decide when you're going - or when he's going and build a good peaceful life for yourself - get your life back and your family back

I guess I'm just worried I'm the kind of person who is doomed to attract narcissist's. I'm so scared of the unknown and hate not having a solid plan. I feel it's better the devil you know that keeps me there.

OP posts:
crazynell · 03/07/2022 14:02

What's the worst that can happen if you leave and live on your own? None of it will be as bad as putting up with his tantrums

You could have another 30/40 years or more of life and you deserve to have a good life- a whole new chapter awaits you

pointythings · 03/07/2022 15:05

@Manc1894 you sound like you could do with some time spent single just learning to really like your own company and your own choices, fully independent not just in the relationship sense but also in the sense of being emotionally self-sufficient. If you learn to really like who you are, you're going to be a lot pickier about partners. The Freedom Programme sounds like it would be a good thing for you to do.

Fishandchipbutty · 03/07/2022 15:17

The alcohol allows his "mask" to slip and show his true unpleasant personality. The guy you fell in love with would rather have a relationship with booze. Line up your legal admin ducks and go.

Manc1894 · 03/07/2022 22:36

pointythings · 03/07/2022 15:05

@Manc1894 you sound like you could do with some time spent single just learning to really like your own company and your own choices, fully independent not just in the relationship sense but also in the sense of being emotionally self-sufficient. If you learn to really like who you are, you're going to be a lot pickier about partners. The Freedom Programme sounds like it would be a good thing for you to do.

What is the freedom program?

OP posts:
Manc1894 · 03/07/2022 23:56

So he's kicked off again, I have hardly heard from him all day until I went out this evening with my mum to meet up with my bothers son who we have not seen for 8 years, he's 13 now so it was a big moment for my mum and me, yet he thought it would be a great time to phone me and keep me talking and make me feel like I had to pay him attention or I knew he'd kick off. So he called me and tell me oh, by the way we are having a party on the 6th August I asked what for and he said to get some friends round and have a bbq I was like who? He said oh such and such and this ex and that ex, I was like excuse me, what? So let me get this straight you have arrange a party at our house and invited everyone not to mention your exes yet I'm the last to know. Wow, thanks for that. He when fucking mental at me, I'm a selfish bitch, why have I got a problem with this? How dare you tell me I need to ask you! How dare you tell me what I can do I'm my house! How dare you kick off about this I don't need to book things in with you when you just keep fucking off to your mums and leaving me I need your attention too! I lost the plot and was screaming down the phone "I'm not here having a party you thick c**T I'm here with my mum who is having chemotherapy and my dad can't look after her because he's not well enough! You selfish prick! You promised me that you would not do this and you would help and support me in any way you could through this because whenever your mum is I'll I'm there no matter what when your dad was I'll and when he was dying, who was there by their said caring for them, and supporting you, me! Yet you think it's okay to kick off and be a prick with me every night I've been here! And then drop it on me we are having a party btw!! Oh and my exes are coming wtf!! Omg I'm fuming! Now tonight is literally going to be another night I don't sleep! 😭 I can never turn off and sleep when he's being a knob to me. I lay here so wired, wound up and upset it's impossible to sleep!! Ffs we are due to go on holiday on Saturday with my kids and their partners after a year for them not talking to my husband! This holiday has been booked for 3 years and the amount of time it's been cancelled due to covid, or someone falling out with hubby is ridiculous! Even his own son who was booked on it has cancelled his place and not spoken to him for a year!

Husband & Alcohol
Husband & Alcohol
Husband & Alcohol
OP posts:
Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 00:02

Oh and the reason it looks like I'm randomly ranting in text to him is because he's cleaver and will try and keep it to phone call only so I can't prove what he's saying coz there is no record of it if he phoned me. So the texts where it looks like his text is miss, it's not, I hung up coz he was too much and I couldn't get a word in or he was being so horrible I hung up!

OP posts:
Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 02:18

I need a exit plan ASAP. You are all right I need out.

OP posts:
Libertybear80 · 04/07/2022 03:46

My heart sank when I read that you stayed with him whilst kids were growing up. Why oh why? FfS leave him. It's too late for your kids but what does it take to make you realise?

something2say · 04/07/2022 08:39

Oh OP. I'm sorry. What really grabs me from your story is...

You're so level headed and just want to have a normal good time.

He is not the same at all. He's unreasonable, he twists things, he's immature, he's obviously aggressive and regressive.

Its needless. Life doesn't need to be this way. You can see that.

But you are showing signs of being ready to leave him. You are thinking about what it would look like and you listed your fears.

I think the main thing is learning to avoid the contact with him, becoming ok not answering, not losing sleep over it anymore and realising that life is much much better with him gone.

GeriSignfeld · 04/07/2022 09:05

In the first few posts the first words you describe him as is "charming"

Am suspicious of people described as "charming"

To "charm" someone is to dazzle you & potentially put on an act

To behave in ways that make them seem delightful but may not be the real them

Believe many toxic people are often described as "charming"

Toxic people rely on their charm in order to have people stick around

What also struck me is you describe your friends no longer wanting to be around

That people you know are put off by his behaviour & avoid him now

That you need to record conversations as evidence it's him starting problems

You then go on to say how he convinces people that you're the bad guy

Are his "flying monkeys" people that you actually cherish & care about?

Does it really matter what other people think over what you feel & experience?

It's your choice to stay in this situation that makes you unhappy

It feels safer to be unhappy than leave which seems scary

That is your choice & you are deciding to live treading on eggshells

In tricky situations like this I like to think of what I will feel on my deathbed

Will I be content with the choice or will I be wishing I had made a different one?

Only you know how you will feel when that time comes

All the best with whatever you decide

Mememene · 04/07/2022 11:24

Classic drunk attention seeking behaviour. He wanted your attention so invented a BBQ complete with his exes to make you bite and you bit.

It's not easy, I know, I had one a couple of weeks ago where the pissed up moron threatened me with legal action, I didn't take my own advise, panicked and drove to a friends, who calmed me down and reminded me he was being an arse again.

He's insecure, because he knows he's a bum, you are away from from him, so he wanted to regain control. He created a drama and you fell into it. I'm in recovery for many years now, I know the games alcholics play.

OK what's done is done, I'm not preaching my heart goes out to you, I'm in love with someone who loves me but loves his alcohol more. I've left him a few weeks ago and it's hard, but not as hard as staying and being treated like dirt.

Not as hard as being treated like rubbish then swinging to he loves me and I'm the best thing since sliced bread. It's mind games but they can only play them if we allow it.

I'd urge you to find an exit plan, start to work on it and to be careful as he needs you, you don't need him.

pointythings · 04/07/2022 11:39

Hi OP, link to the Freedom Programme here. It's for women who have experienced domestic abuse and it's aimed at helping them get better at recognising abusive, exploitative men.

Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 12:30

pointythings · 04/07/2022 11:39

Hi OP, link to the Freedom Programme here. It's for women who have experienced domestic abuse and it's aimed at helping them get better at recognising abusive, exploitative men.

Thank you xx

OP posts: