Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

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 · 04/07/2022 12:31

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

Your post stopped my dead in my tracks wow, you hit the flipping nail on the head xx

OP posts:
Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 12:44

Anyone got any jobs going? I currently work for him running his business for him! So obviously that will be the first thing he takes away, the car that is in his name and my phone that is paid for by the company. It's a fucking nightmare and so scary. Me and him live down south and all my friends and family live up north.

OP posts:
something2say · 04/07/2022 12:53

Time for a reality check then.

Everything that is his will go.

You can buy a reconditioned phone and get a contract for £20 and they'll port your number across.

You can get another job.

You could even stuff the lot and move back home??

You have built your house on quicksand but you're not going down with it xx

AnxietyForever · 04/07/2022 12:59

Bottom line is, you're in a abusive relationship.

Sounds horrendous, really feel for you

You're the only one that can get out of this mess, make plans to leave or stay with your mum, block his number, stop contact, tell him you need a break.

Get your things whilst he's at work?

anybloodyname · 04/07/2022 12:59

I'd pack a bag today @Manc1894

Take what money you would be legally able to and get on a train/ bus up to family

This could be a whole new start for you
" stuff" really doesn't matter

Your mental health , safety and well-being are invaluable .

Mumsafan · 04/07/2022 13:07

I too have a problem with my husband and alcohol. He is late 50s and he drinks far too much. It doesn't often involve him getting violent but lately I have been seeing signs that it might do. He also doesn't seem to realise that he has a problem.

Yesterday he went to meet a colleague for half an hour and came back over 6 hours later, obviously drunk.

He doesn't connect well with our daughter as he seems to never ever know how to converse with her. He resorts everytime to asking her the same question if she has been anywhere. Yesterday she had been in school all day rehearsing for the end of year show, he called her down when he got in and instead of chatting with her about how the rehearsal had gone, he resorted to the same question "how many were there?" .

She had been asked this so often it drives her mad. She replied " how many were in the pub?"!

With that he went ballistic and started yelling at her in a violent manner, his language was appalling. She went back to her room and I avoided him all evening. He thought his behaviour was ok. She wasn't bothered. I was more upset than her.

She is the youngest and heads off to Uni in 3 years and I am seriously considering moving out when she goes.

I know my husband is an alcoholic, but he thinks he isn't. Not sure what it will take to make him realise?

My advice is to put yourself first. It'll be tough but you can do it.

wellhelloitsme · 04/07/2022 13:14

Mumsafan · 04/07/2022 13:07

I too have a problem with my husband and alcohol. He is late 50s and he drinks far too much. It doesn't often involve him getting violent but lately I have been seeing signs that it might do. He also doesn't seem to realise that he has a problem.

Yesterday he went to meet a colleague for half an hour and came back over 6 hours later, obviously drunk.

He doesn't connect well with our daughter as he seems to never ever know how to converse with her. He resorts everytime to asking her the same question if she has been anywhere. Yesterday she had been in school all day rehearsing for the end of year show, he called her down when he got in and instead of chatting with her about how the rehearsal had gone, he resorted to the same question "how many were there?" .

She had been asked this so often it drives her mad. She replied " how many were in the pub?"!

With that he went ballistic and started yelling at her in a violent manner, his language was appalling. She went back to her room and I avoided him all evening. He thought his behaviour was ok. She wasn't bothered. I was more upset than her.

She is the youngest and heads off to Uni in 3 years and I am seriously considering moving out when she goes.

I know my husband is an alcoholic, but he thinks he isn't. Not sure what it will take to make him realise?

My advice is to put yourself first. It'll be tough but you can do it.

Please don't make your daughter live with a bully for another three years - why leave when she leaves? Why not leave before he harms you or her?

My parents had a toxic relationship then split up immediately when I went to uni and did the 'we stayed together for you' thing.

I was so sad and so angry that they stayed together 'for me' which just meant I had a toxic relationship dynamic modelled to me which I then recreated in my own adult life until after lots of therapy I finally realised what a healthy, happy relationship can look like.

Please consider the effects on your teen daughter of growing up under the same roof as this dynamic Flowers

anybloodyname · 04/07/2022 13:27

@Mumsafan you may want to start your own thread - that way you can keep your issues separate and both you and @Manc1894 will get support

Please don't put your daughter through another 3 years of that shit

Tiredofthemadness · 04/07/2022 13:29

Your DH sounds like a carbon copy of my Dad.

I'm sorry to say this, but it won't get any better.

I have a thread running right now about my alcoholic Dad. When he was in his 40's and 50's he was exactly like your DH is now. He is now 82, and nothing has changed. I am having to micro manage his life, because he drinks so much he can't do anything for himself.

My poor Mum never left him and she's dead now. Can you do another 30+ years of this, until one of you dies? That's what you're facing unless you get out.

Tiredofthemadness · 04/07/2022 13:54

anybloodyname · 04/07/2022 12:59

I'd pack a bag today @Manc1894

Take what money you would be legally able to and get on a train/ bus up to family

This could be a whole new start for you
" stuff" really doesn't matter

Your mental health , safety and well-being are invaluable .

There is a house isn't there? Can't walk away from that.

anybloodyname · 04/07/2022 14:17

@Tiredofthemadness why not ?

All of that can be sorted later , along proper legal channels
Is it not better to be in a safe secure environment?

Eviandoll · 04/07/2022 15:21

Your story could be my story...I was with my ex partner for 15 years, I endured this behaviour for 10 of those years...trust me it won't get any better, I had the opportunity to leave in '17 and I lost my nerve at the last minute and wasted another five years of my life..six months ago I handed my notice in at work and with nothing but a few important personal possessions and my dog, I left for a new life, it should never have come to this but I just reached a point where I couldn't take another day of it...please don't let it reach that stage for you ...for the love of god (whoever your god might be) get the hell out of there.

crazynell · 04/07/2022 15:27

You need to get your life back and your sanity back, the upheaval will be worth it in the end to feel self respect

I remember how my DH used to contact me every time I was ever away from him and how it triggered off stress and worry so I could never relax and enjoy myself with family and friends. It was all about control. Years on I still panic if my phone goes when I'm away from home.

Eviandoll · 04/07/2022 15:43

@crazynell...my experience was identical, a break to see my family and I was bombarded with messages that progressed from pleasant to downright abusive.

beautyisthefaceisee · 04/07/2022 15:51

Mememene · 02/07/2022 13:07

There's a phrase in aa and you started the first of it. You are describing the Poor Me's. Poor Me, poor me, poor me, Pour me another one.

It's an excuse to drink, busy day, slow day, hot day, cold day, happy mood, sad mood, doesn't matter Id have drank on it.

Im in recovery now for many years, and getting off booze was the best thing I could have done to improve my life but it was hard and I wanted it badly;

He doesn't want to stop and there is totally ZERO that you can do to make him want to stop. If you can't leave and I get it that this isn't always possible sadly, then you have to never go out with him again, he's putting you at risk.

Build a life for you whilst living in the house that doesn't involve him.

Don't waste your breath talking to him when he's pissed, he is particularly vile.

Call Al-anon

Sounds like me - I wasn't an alcoholic but I definitely had a problem during lockdown. Any excuse would do!

crazynell · 04/07/2022 15:56

@Eviandoll yes! Or I'd get home and something had happened - like he'd fallen over or got into a fight

Eviandoll · 04/07/2022 17:01

@Mememene...first of all, well done and I wish you every success, however, your comment ...

"Build a life for you whilst living in the house that doesn't involve him".

Why should the OP have to continue tolerating that behaviour ? God knows I tried to carry on with my life and escape by throwing myself into everything...work...evening classes....the gym....it didn't work...I remember once returning home from a 'pamper session' at the hairdressers receiving a call from the manager of a restaurant near to where we live, could I collect him as he was paralytic and had passed out at one of the tables...or one Sunday whilst I was reaching the end of a shift at work receiving another call asking me to collect him from a pub as he was making a show of himself and the manager was threatening to call the police...bit hard to build your own life when that's constantly going on !"

Eviandoll · 04/07/2022 17:13

@crazynell.....yes, you go into work, try to enjoy yourself and live your life and put it out of your mind but it's always hovering in the background ready to pounce at any given time.

Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 17:16

Mumsafan · 04/07/2022 13:07

I too have a problem with my husband and alcohol. He is late 50s and he drinks far too much. It doesn't often involve him getting violent but lately I have been seeing signs that it might do. He also doesn't seem to realise that he has a problem.

Yesterday he went to meet a colleague for half an hour and came back over 6 hours later, obviously drunk.

He doesn't connect well with our daughter as he seems to never ever know how to converse with her. He resorts everytime to asking her the same question if she has been anywhere. Yesterday she had been in school all day rehearsing for the end of year show, he called her down when he got in and instead of chatting with her about how the rehearsal had gone, he resorted to the same question "how many were there?" .

She had been asked this so often it drives her mad. She replied " how many were in the pub?"!

With that he went ballistic and started yelling at her in a violent manner, his language was appalling. She went back to her room and I avoided him all evening. He thought his behaviour was ok. She wasn't bothered. I was more upset than her.

She is the youngest and heads off to Uni in 3 years and I am seriously considering moving out when she goes.

I know my husband is an alcoholic, but he thinks he isn't. Not sure what it will take to make him realise?

My advice is to put yourself first. It'll be tough but you can do it.

Sound like a mirror image of my waste of space! I'm so sorry you are going through it to and if he looks like he's heading towards being psychical, then he will be sooner or later. X

OP posts:
Mememene · 04/07/2022 17:38

Eviandoll · 04/07/2022 17:01

@Mememene...first of all, well done and I wish you every success, however, your comment ...

"Build a life for you whilst living in the house that doesn't involve him".

Why should the OP have to continue tolerating that behaviour ? God knows I tried to carry on with my life and escape by throwing myself into everything...work...evening classes....the gym....it didn't work...I remember once returning home from a 'pamper session' at the hairdressers receiving a call from the manager of a restaurant near to where we live, could I collect him as he was paralytic and had passed out at one of the tables...or one Sunday whilst I was reaching the end of a shift at work receiving another call asking me to collect him from a pub as he was making a show of himself and the manager was threatening to call the police...bit hard to build your own life when that's constantly going on !"

She should NOT have to tolerate it but said she wasn't ready to go. The comment about building your own life without him in the home was only until she felt she could go.

Of course the OP should leave no doubt about it and the sooner the better, I've just left a three year relationship because I can't tolerate my now ex partners behaviour when drinking. Some need a bit more time to make that step, I was lucky I have my own house and somewhere to go.

I would absolutely advocate leaving and the sooner the better, nothing is going to get better, just to be clear. But telling someone to go, doesn't make it any more likely they will go until they are ready. It's hard, even me with everything I know about alcoholism have found it very hard to be strong enough to stay away,

I have though, just that I recognise from both sides how hard it is.

Mememene · 04/07/2022 17:47

Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 12:44

Anyone got any jobs going? I currently work for him running his business for him! So obviously that will be the first thing he takes away, the car that is in his name and my phone that is paid for by the company. It's a fucking nightmare and so scary. Me and him live down south and all my friends and family live up north.

You need to plan, get yourself another phone, cheap as you like and get your numbers etc on it so you have everything. If you can get some legal advice,great, talk to Women's Aid.

I don't believe him having everything in his businesses name is an accident, it's to keep you trapped.

I'd see if you can move in with family up north for a while and make a call to a recruitment agency up there to start with temporary work if you cant get a permanent job immediately.

He's not as clever as he thinks he is, You can do this on your own. And call Al-Anon the more you are wise to his games, the stronger you will be.

Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 21:22

I've spent my day updating my CV and applying for Jobs, why the hell do I feel guilty and underhanded? I feel like I'm being out of order doing this behind his back! What the hell is wrong with me? After everyone he's done this last 4 days since being here to help my mum and yet I feel bad? 😔🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Acheyknees · 04/07/2022 21:37

The obvious thing to do would be to walk away when the sly digs start. I would just get up and go home, no pleading, no excuses, just go. Maybe then he'll pick on the wrong person in the pub.
Just stand up and leave, you don't need to tolerate this behaviour, I certainly would not. Leave the drunk arsehole to it, I suspect once he picks on the wrong person he will learn a lesson

harriethoyle · 04/07/2022 21:47

Manc1894 · 04/07/2022 21:22

I've spent my day updating my CV and applying for Jobs, why the hell do I feel guilty and underhanded? I feel like I'm being out of order doing this behind his back! What the hell is wrong with me? After everyone he's done this last 4 days since being here to help my mum and yet I feel bad? 😔🤷🏻‍♀️

I'd have a look at jobs up North @Manc1894 - if your family are there it will be a much needed support network and cost of living is much cheaper if you're renting alone. Best of luck.

crazynell · 04/07/2022 23:10

Well done! You're making the first steps to getting our and getting back to being you.

Off course you feel guilty as you are so caught up in his toxic game playing that his voice and disapproval are ingrained in you - it will lessen with time