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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

Not sure what to do about marriage

13 replies

Noonegetsleftbehind · 27/07/2022 22:42

Name change for this but I’ve been here a long time.

DH married for 14 years. Two DC, both with leaning/some health difficulties. Run our own business blah blah.

I love him so much. I’m as in love with him as I was the day we married. I’ve got many faults and he’s been a rock, especially through pregnancy and illness.

I gave up my career so he could focus on setting up the business. I earned more and he was just stating up. It worked while DC were young and eventually I joined him and we grew the business. He works away a lot and I do most of the child care and work 3 days a week.

The biggest issue we have is drinking. It’s been an issue for years and we’ve come to breaking point a few times. He doesn’t know when to stop. He’s a big drinker. It’s like he didn’t stop being 22 but now he’s 44 and it’s just not attractive. He never gets a hangover and it doesn’t affect him doing anything the next day, bar driving.

Most of the time he’s just tipsey and can’t hold a conversation so he goes to bed. But that get so dull. Other times he’s arrogant and rude. I try not to argue with him as there’s no point until the morning when he’s sober.

The DC are older now and more aware of things and it’s breaking my heart. We’ve just come back on holiday and we’re only intimate once as he drank and smoked the rest of the time. I asked if he could lay off it one day and he promised. We got to the beach and he started drinking again.

We stayed with friends last year and he drank so much he wet their bed. I was so upset. I left that morning and he promised more big changes. Went to the Dr, who told him to just cut down! He does it for a few weeks and then the old habits come back.

Lately he’s been more mean. Saying hurtful things. Tonight he told me he was away for four days next week without a thought for childcare and me working over the summer holidays. He was so unreasonable about it. I’ve left him in the spare room after he told me to get a grip. I’m just so tired of this. We have so much going on, we need to work together and we used to but when there’s drink, everything goes out the window.

I’ve requested we meet with a counsellor but I just can’t do this constant rollercoaster. I want him to stop drinking altogether, and I’d be more than happy to do so. I hate it so much now. It bring nothing be sadness. I know in the morning he’ll be full of remorse but he told me in front of the DC that he isn’t coming away with us this weekend now and they are upset. It’s just out of hand. His parents, especially his Dad have awful relationships with alcohol so it’s just normal for him.

I’m not sure what to do next. I won’t sleep tonight as it’ll be playing on my mind. I’m so sad that another evening has ended like this.

OP posts:
WidgetDigit2022 · 27/07/2022 22:51

It sounds like a break could do you both the world of good. Maybe he can really see what it's doing to you and the relationship. And you can get some distance and put together a plan in case he can't/won't stop drinking.

I agree with you. For me, it would be; quit or we split. Because he proven he can't drink in moderation. And it's your choice what your boundaries are. If he values your relationship, and if he physically can, he will quit. Today. If he resists, or doesn't, then that's your answer. And you are WELL within your rights to find his drinking problematic enough to leave. I couldn't live with someone so unpredictable. Break the cycle for your kids.

Noonegetsleftbehind · 27/07/2022 23:01

Thank you for your kind reply. It’s such a huge sad step.

Maybe we’re just not compatible any more. Maybe if I was more fun and just accepted the drinking. Why can’t it? Other people do. Is it that bad.

We tried a counsellor a few years ago for the same reason. She declared that ‘everyone likes a drink’ and that was that. Instead we focused on my issues.

How does a separation work? Can it be successful and help? I honestly think he’d go to his parents house and drink every night.

OP posts:
YourWinter · 27/07/2022 23:03

Absolutely agree with previous poster: quit or split. Your kids need you to do this.

junebirthdaygirl · 28/07/2022 03:12

He is an alcoholic. Could you ask him to take an online assessment to see if he meets the criteria ...he does. And this is absolutely not your fault in any way. He knows that too but will attempt to blame you so he doesn't have to look at himself.
Could you go to a counsellor yourself?
Sometimes it's best to say nothing but have natural consequences. So if he drinks at home midweek you sleep in the spare room. If he starts to drink in the middle of the day on holidays just take the dc and walk back to the pool leaving him alone.
I am a great believer in having one sentence ..like..l am not comfortable with your drinking..and walk off. Nothing else. Let him see that you are changed. Don't get into a discussion.

Can you go and stay with your parents for a while as its school holidays so you get a break and he begins to see: continue drinking and you are on your own.
Remember also if this gets worse, which it may, your business could suffer badly.

BritInAus · 28/07/2022 03:19

He has a drinking problem. You can't fix that for him, he has to want to. And even if he a) recognises he has a problem and b) wants to fix it he has to do that, and keep doing that, every day forever. You've seen the cycle of cutting back / back to normal over the years already.

I was with someone like this for over 10 years. We split two years ago (she died within 10 months in her early 40s of liver failure) and I have to say, life without an alcoholic is just so wonderful!

Rainbowqueeen · 28/07/2022 03:26

Reach out to Al-anon for support. Lots of people who have been through similar and know what you’re going through.

As your DC get older it will get harder

fedup078 · 28/07/2022 03:32

Been there op
I really don't see the point in counselling
My stbxh listed all the other reasons our marriage was shit other than his ridiculous drinking habits
For example, I admit I never wanted to sleep with him, but who wants to sleep with a man who constantly stinks of booze and gaslights you to try and hide the fact they've had a bottle of wine for breakfast
The other issues we could have possibly worked through in counselling but there's absolutely no point with that huge elephant still in the room
He's needs to do this on his own as only he can help himself and he needs to want to
Perhaps a trial separation is in order?

Coyoacan · 28/07/2022 03:40

Reach out to Al-anon for support

This

Noonegetsleftbehind · 28/07/2022 09:10

Thank you. I know what your staying is right. It’s so hard.

I thought Al-Aon was for alcoholics. I didn’t realise they offer support to the families too. I’m on their site now.

OP posts:
Beachsidesunset · 28/07/2022 09:42

I grew up in a household with an alcoholic stepfather and a mother in denial. It was hell and affected my happiness and mental stability for decades. Please don't put your children through the same.

Gagagardener · 28/07/2022 09:57

I'm really sorry you and your children are going through this. Been there. Get help and support and get out if you can. The man you love is your husband as he perhaps was and should have been, not as he is now. Very best wishes.

billy1966 · 28/07/2022 10:43

He's an absolute alcoholic and you are putting him ahead of your children which is so sad.

He needs to move out.

Counselling is a waste of time for you together.

On your own it might help you to see how your children have been utterly failed in this situation.

Stop thinking of him and start thinking about how absolutely awful it must be for your children seeing this day in day out.

He's getting meaner and you are tiptoeing around him on eggshells.

This is an abusive home and you can be sure your children will have issues as a result of being reared in this environment.

You desperately need to focus on your children.

WhenDovesFly · 28/07/2022 11:08

Your husband sounds like an alcoholic OP and I'm sorry you're going through this.

Stop doubting yourself. Yes, drinking to excess is bad, and over time it will affect his health. You don't have to 'be more fun and accept it'.

I think you really need to consider whether separation is the best option for you. If your DC are becoming aware then drinking will become 'normal' for them too, and so the cycle continues into the next generation.

Don't accept any empty promises from your 'H' to change either. Even if he stops drinking, your husband will always be an alcoholic, and there is always the chance of a relapse.

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