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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

Drinking problem

26 replies

Cutesy24 · 24/08/2022 22:02

Hi
i don’t know why I’m posting on here, think I’m just confused about tonight’s events and maybe need to someone to help me think straight.
ive been seeing a guy for 6 months, I knew he had depression after having a serious accident a few years ago resulting in life changing injuries. He’s on a lot of medication as a result of this..
since we have been dating he said he has been in a much better place, happy etc.
when we are together more often than not we will share a bottle of wine or have a couple of bottles of beer (we see each other maybe 3 times a week)
sometimes when he comes to mine he is quiet and a bit withdraw , other times he is very happy, hyper, lots of hugs etc (like tonight)
sometimes when he comes to mine I think to myself he seems like he has been drinking, and have seen him once it twice take an empty beer bottle out if his car and out it in my recycling bin. I have never said anything.
Tonight he came to mine in such a good mood, very smiley, happy, telling me how happy he was etc. he then mentioned he had 4 cans of beer before driving to mine. I obviously highlighted the fact that this is not good he should not be drinking and driving. I said it in a way as to not be patronising and I didn’t want to start a fight but had to say something. Initially he said yeah you’re right I’m glad you mentioned it cos it shows you care and that’s what I need to make me not do it admin. He went on to say it’s s bit of a problem for him (alcohol) it’s the first thing he thinks about when he leaves work, he does it to fill a void, then later changed it to he definitely doesn’t have a problem, he doesn’t think about alcohol every day, he does it before he comes to mine sometimes cos he might not be in the mood to interact with me and the alcohol gets him on a good level to do so.
I was so confused with all this contradiction, I don’t know what to think.
obviously I am not ok with him drunk driving.
additionally I keep thinking was he only happy and loving towards me cos he had been drinking, is it real?
the.
i was chill throughout, basically just listened to him and said I’m not judging you, the most important thing to me is that you acknowledge it and tell me you won’t do it again.
but he got on the defensive and started to sulk about. I put on our favourite series and got him some pillows etc to make him comfortable, sat waiting to snuggle up to him but he sat very closed off. I kept asking if he was ok he said yes.
he started to fall asleep (I assume cos he was drunk- we also had a glass of wine with dinner) so I said let’s go to bed.
we got in bed and he laid facing away from me. I said do I get a goodnight kiss so he turned and gave me a kiss.
i said are you ok and he said I don’t know How I feel. I feel ashamed and bloke I’ve let you down. I tried to reassure him but also let him know that he has made me feel like I had done something wrong the way he was closing me off.
i said the night started off so lovely and turned to go to sleep, as he was (he never turned to face me to speak so I thought ok I’m going to sleep)
he then said you can see I’m upset why don’t you comfort me and give me a hug instead of trying to start and argument. I put my arm around him and he said I just want to go home.
i said I’m sorry if I made you feel like that. He went to sleep and I just started crying behind him while I had my arm around him. I don’t know why I started crying. And I don’t know why my heart is hurting right now

OP posts:
ZekeZeke · 24/08/2022 22:08

Run for the hills and don't look back

goldenbag · 24/08/2022 22:08

My honest advice? Run for the hills. Sorry OP. He sounds manipulative and you deserve better.

goldenbag · 24/08/2022 22:09

Cross post with @ZekeZeke!

ZekeZeke · 24/08/2022 22:11

SNAP

SallyWD · 24/08/2022 23:02

Whilst I feel sympathy for him this relationship will be complicated and cause you great heartache, I suspect.

pastypirate · 24/08/2022 23:05

He's got a big issue with alcohol. He's not ready for a relationship ship. He drinks and stunts which suggests dependency. Just leave

Maytodecember · 25/08/2022 01:09

Walk away. Now. Do not look back.
Far too many red flags. I really wish I had seen those flags waving when I met my future husband, most of them very similar to those you describe. I suffered 5 years of misery, social embarrassment, emotional abuse, financial abuse and in the end threats of rape. Alcohol is a downward spiral, he’s already making all the excuses. Please walk away.

Maytodecember · 25/08/2022 01:11

And if he comes out with I drink because I’m lonely or unhappy, I’d stop drinking if I lived with/ married you , don’t walk, RUN.

Aquamarine1029 · 25/08/2022 01:31

Run for your fucking life. FFS, op, please be smart enough to see the massive red flags waving right in front of your face. You will not fix this man, so get that ridiculous notion out of your head right now.

Ginandpanic · 25/08/2022 01:39

I’d end this now.
and I say this as someone who was absolutely naive about alcohol dependency and moved in with my partner to discover he was an alcoholic.

it will affect your mental health, and you will never be his priority.

Gonnagetacatwhenimovein · 25/08/2022 05:38

Run

Drinkingpop · 25/08/2022 05:50

Too right he should be ashamed about drinking and driving - how did you get to a position where you're trying to placate him. He's an alcoholic, he lies, he sulks. You're already walking on eggshells. This is a complete disaster.

fedup078 · 25/08/2022 05:58

Please don't continue with this relationship op

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/08/2022 06:09

Did you grow up seeing a heavy drinking parent?.

Do not continue with this relationship under any circumstances. The red flags re alcoholism are waving madly here and you cannot fix him. His primary relationship is with drink, not with you and it’s never been with you either.

iRun2eatCake · 25/08/2022 06:13

Good grief.... a relationship shouldn't be this complex after only 6 months!

theworldhasgoneinsane · 25/08/2022 06:19

Run. Fast. He has a problem with alcohol and drove whilst under the influence.

There's also a load of emotional abuse going on there and it sounds like you're being massively manipulated.

Run

Arrivederla · 25/08/2022 06:25

Why are you apologising to him after his absolutely awful behaviour? Drink driving, gaslighting, lying and sulking... how much more shit are you going to put up with before you kick him to the kerb?

MintJulia · 25/08/2022 06:49

He's hiding the empties, drink driving, denying that he has a problem, and then blaming you for discussing it. Run! Now!

I left my ex when I realised I couldn't trust him to take 2yo ds in the car. Ex had hidden his drinking very convincingly until after ds was born. Don't waste your life.

category12 · 25/08/2022 07:02

Sounds like he's an alcoholic.

Unfortunately addiction means he can only love booze, there's no room for you.

Justcallmebebes · 25/08/2022 09:37

I agree with everyone else. You've landed yourself a drunk and it won't end well. I'd bail on this one pronto

Watchkeys · 25/08/2022 09:57

Would you not prefer a relationship with someone where your post would read 'No issues, really, he's basically just lovely'?

If not, why not?
If so, why are you spending your time on this bloke who's causing you paragraphs of confusing and unpleasant behaviour, tears at bedtime, and being told you're creating arguments?

theemmadilemma · 25/08/2022 09:58

Sober alcoholic here.

This screams of someone with an alcohol problem. Walk away now and don't make it yours.

TheGoodEnoughWife · 25/08/2022 10:02

You got him pillows and made him all comfy? You spoke to him without judgement?! He is a drunk driver. You are condoning that.

As others have said. Run. He is not good.

esteemsports · 25/08/2022 10:06

Run, run, run, you can't help him, he has to help himself!

todayisanewday13 · 25/08/2022 10:42

Hi, firstly, im so sorry you are going through these feelings of worry.
My advice would be to run as far and as fast as you can.
I have a 7 month old and her father is an alcoholic. His addiction has developed over time. The emotional abuse is draining and has left me in a pit of anxiety and depression.
I am now trying to desperately find a way out for me and baby and once I'm out I will never look back.
Alcohol ruins lives.