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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

i think its time to leave?

26 replies

godders888 · 03/04/2024 13:28

Hi there i need so assurances and maybe some blunt honest truth! i dont have much of a support network around me.
Ive been in a relationship with my former director for a couple for yrs now, following us both getting divorced. we both have one child each (13 and 7).
Initally all was amazing, got along brilliantly (stil do) but then things started going downhill when we moved in together.
it would be little things like on one occassion he went to the store and brought dinner for him and his daughter and didnt think to pick mine up, then expected me to cook it for them. (*this was addressed). hes often thoughtless like that, and quite obsessed with his daughter at times, so he only thinks of her rather than the whole house.
Anyway, more serious points:
with his ex wife he wasnt allowed to drink, hed always relayed to me that he had drank heavily, and he understood it was a problem but it was escapism because he was so unhappy.
the we moved in and he started drinking here and there, it would be fine if we were out socially having a few, but then there have been instances where hes gone out and either gone AWOL for hours, not answered his phone or texts. Theres been times he has lied to me and said he was out drinking with his friend, but i knew his friend had left hours before, he'd remained at the pub alone rather than come home.
Last summer he came home so wasted (i suspect coke aswel as booze) that he pooped himself, all over the house, he was out of his mind. had no clue and i had to scrub bedding, carpets and bathrooms at 4am- then hide it all from his daughter when she woke up.
most recently, he lied about being home all night (While i was at a work event) but he got caught out by a failed amazon delivery. turns out he was a the pub. continued t lie about it when put on the spot though.

Beyond the drinking, we had issues with commitment from him- we had both been clear in the first yr, that our plan was we were moving in together and marriage was also the plan. he never followed through on that, dispite making many hints and suggestions it was imminent.
it caused me alot of sadness that i'd felt led on. I had moved into his property, moved my childs school etc etc to suit these plans. now, tbf, we never had a time frame, but it wasn't, and still isnt anywhere on the horizon.

This past weekend was easter, and he was drinking alone in the evenings after id gone to bed. id turned a blind eye to it. Then easter sunday we had the families over and had a great day. we walked his parents home and stopped in at the local for a G&T on route back. as we were leaving for home he popped to the toilet in the pub and came out telling me he'd done a line. I was gobsmacked. this man is nearly 50, a father, a professional and i thought he was past all that behaviour.
I said id had enough, i didnt trust him i was fed up with this. i feel like he has been disrectpful to our relationship, and to me.

I feel so sad that im in a relationship like this. i dont think i will be able to hide his behaviour (if it continues,) from the children as they grow up.
So hes sat down with me yesterday though and begged, promised to stop drinking so much, assured me hes only done it last week. i feel so so so so awful for him, my heart breaks because i do love him but i dont trust or respect him and i think i need to leave?

OP posts:
Starlight1979 · 03/04/2024 13:47

"he's quite obsessed with his daughter at times" What? When he's not going on massive benders or doing coke in the pub on Easter Sunday? I don't think this bloke is "obsessed" with anyone but himself

Sorry OP, you know what the answer is here. Before any of the "serious stuff" you listed, the fact he went to the shop and bought tea for him and his daughter and nothing for you was bad enough. I can't imagine a single scenario where my DP would do this.

And the rest of it, yeah horrendous.

Meadowfinch · 03/04/2024 13:54

I left mine, when the drinking and the excuses got too much. You can't allow your dc to grow up thinking that sort of behaviour is normal or ok.

The sooner you grasp the nettle & leave, the better the outcome for both you and your child. He won't change, if you stay, you are just delaying the inevitable.

I'm 13 years down the line, I haven't regretted it once. It's sad but unavoidable.

Justcallmebebes · 03/04/2024 13:57

God alive, be thankful you haven't married him. He sounds like he has many issues and you'd be mad to stick around

godders888 · 03/04/2024 13:57

i read all of it and it sounds horrendous, and im only listing a few instances, to spare everyone. (but there have been countless meals that have been ruined or cut short because he was too drunk to be there, family holidays where hes had to go to bed because he was too drunk and ive been left with the kids...)

But my question is, is there ever a senario i should be sticking with him, or even trying to help him?

On the flip side, hes also thoughtful at times, makes me laugh alot, is great with the kids (when not drunk, obvs!) theres certain positives to him but i think i need clarity that theyre not worth sticking around for?

I think about protecting my child first and foremost, im sad this will cause him some short term pain in terms of change of home/family dynamic etc etc, but ultimately keep him from being impacted? i can already see how certain things have affected his 13 y/o.

OP posts:
Bananalanacake · 03/04/2024 14:02

If you don't have DC together there's no need to live together, just have a relationship and live separately, then you won't notice if he gets drunk if he's not with you.

LifeExperience · 03/04/2024 14:25

Your child must be your priority. You can feel sorry for the alcoholic drug addict all you want, but you can't have him around your child. And no, there is no scenario where you should be sticking with him. You cannot fix another adult. Only he can do that.

Starlight1979 · 03/04/2024 14:36

"But my question is, is there ever a scenario i should be sticking with him, or even trying to help him?"

No. Next question.

category12 · 03/04/2024 14:39

It sounds like he has an alcohol problem and always has had. He blamed it on his ex-wife and their relationship to you - if you split up, he'll blame you and the relationship to the next woman. Because it was an excuse.

There's always a "reason" for alkies to give themselves permission to drink.

You know how this plays out. His ex-wife insisted that he stop drinking - I very much doubt she asked for that from him out of her own peculiarity, but because he acted like this. He drank anyway and they split up.

It's the same road you're on.

Cut out the middle parts where you're lied to for years and made promises and have your child exposed to his behaviour, and just get out.

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 03/04/2024 14:39

100% leave. Clearly his ex had reasons for 'not allowing' him to drink. You need to think of yourself and your dc and get away from him.

Blondie1209 · 03/04/2024 14:52

Hi OP. I just wanted to show some solidarity. I am a recovering alcoholic and I can spot a fellow addict a mile off. This man clearly has problems with alcohol and drugs. He says he'll try not to drink so much, but it sounds like he's 'all or nothing', just like me. He has to be the one to combat his addiction and do the work, you can't do it for him. It seems to me like his ex wife had the measure of him, hence he wasn't allowed to drink. Although I'm sure he still found a way - we always do. Things will not get any better. Please seriously think about cutting your losses. Thankfully you aren't married to him or share any DC. I wish you the very best of luck 💐

Opentooffers · 03/04/2024 15:03

Ask his ex how much she tried to support him to no avail? This is nothing new. He hinted at such to start with and you didn't read between the lines.
It all sounds rather messy. I hope this doesn't affect your job after - never good to mix personal life with work. It's time to sever the ties.

Ohffsbarbara · 03/04/2024 15:23

Well now you know why his ex left him!

If someone is getting so wasted they shit themselves all over the house 🤮they obviously have a very serious problem.

Its unlikely he’ll get better isn’t it when he allowed his last marriage to fail and become single parent family due to his issues. I think an honest convo with his ex would give you a good idea of how things are going to go if you stay…

And you need to think of your dc - you are allowing him/her to be brought up living with an addict and all that will entail.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 03/04/2024 15:28

You can't help an addict. They have to WANT to help themselves and source their own help. They may ask you to help, but this often turns to them putting the blame for any relapses onto you; you didn't help them enough.

You need to leave.

godders888 · 03/04/2024 15:33

So grateful for the responses so far. I know it sounds tragic but I keep second guessing my situation and my mind plays tricks on me that it’s not that bad etc etc. I know if this were my sister I’d tell her to walk out immediately.

i have no real support network close by, my mum and sister are a distance awah and nota great help.

I’ve got a few apartment viewings set up for this week, and I’ve cancelled our holidays to avoid further charges to my bank account . So I’m taking steps, one’s he won’t see…

for those responding about my job, i don’t work for him anymore, luckily! But we’re in the same industry and he’s well liked and respected.

clarity on his ex wife, she and I knew each other (as I say, formally worked for him). Their marriage didn’t end specially related to the drinking, infect she had kicked him out a couple of times and always took him back. I wouldn’t feel comfortable seeking her input.

it feels like such a huge sadness to me, and I’ve clung on in hope it’ll not come to this.

question on how I handle this now- do I speak to him sooner, or do I make sure I’ve a place lined up?
I also want to ask him to give me one of the cars(he’s got two) and I’ve been paying half of everything including mortgage, bills and car finance since last summer- I’ll have zero legal claim on anything I think, but I physically need a car!

OP posts:
Hello98765 · 03/04/2024 16:27

I would get a place lined up and then announce you are leaving and go the same day. Otherwise he will get his claws into you, promise to change, etc etc. Keep it short and sharp.

fluffycloudsfloatingpast · 03/04/2024 16:33

You want to marry someone who shits himself, drinks heavily, lies and treats you like crap?

godders888 · 03/04/2024 16:53

fluffycloudsfloatingpast · 03/04/2024 16:33

You want to marry someone who shits himself, drinks heavily, lies and treats you like crap?

in terms of marriage I absolutely do not want that now. This was the plan aswel as moving in together. All the behaviours and incidents occurred post moving in.

OP posts:
unsync · 03/04/2024 16:54

But my question is, is there ever a senario i should be sticking with him, or even trying to help him?

No. Did the relationship start with a power imbalance and you at a disadvantage? Director / employee? He sounds awful, you are better off without him.
,

Fannyfiggs · 03/04/2024 17:12

I would have a place lined up before you tell him. He may try to talk you round but you'll be stronger if you know you have committed to a rental agreement.

Good luck and stay strong 💪

Axx · 03/04/2024 17:25

I'm guessing you've been turning a blind eye to his solo nighttime drinking because you're worried about his reaction if you don't?

Honestly, leave him. He will cry and beg and promise to change.

RandomMess · 03/04/2024 17:33

Honestly I would do a flit with one of the cars.

I hope for his DD sake he hits his rock bottom and sorts himself out.

godders888 · 03/04/2024 17:45

Axx · 03/04/2024 17:25

I'm guessing you've been turning a blind eye to his solo nighttime drinking because you're worried about his reaction if you don't?

Honestly, leave him. He will cry and beg and promise to change.

Turned a blind eye because I didn’t want to be a nag or seem like his mother. Last week he needed wine to help him get a good nights sleep, so had the whole bottle. Beers Wednesday, Thurs night he had beers then after I went to bed he necked a bottle of wine, stumbled into his daughters room at 5am drunk. I had to lie that he was sleep walking.

he’s saying he knows he’s gone too far, loves me etc etc. and as usual there’s always an excuse, for example, he cries on about how he’s had ‘such a hard life’ whilst being a privately educated, middle class, middle aged white man, with so much love and family who care around him, her he keeps pulling this tactic out recently on me x

OP posts:
Blondie1209 · 03/04/2024 19:20

OP, there was always reasons for me to drink. Had a great day? Let's have a drink! Had a crappy day? Let's have a drink! Had an abusive childhood? Let's have a drink! I had a list of excuses as long as my arm. At the end of the day I drank because I WANTED to. It wasn't until I hit my rock bottom that I began to change, but, believe me when I say, it's bloody hard and takes a lot of hard work and discipline. Even now it's an every day battle. Please don't waste this one precious life on him. Cut him loose and concentrate on your DC, your new home and your NEW BEGINNING! You CAN do this! 💐

Lighteningstrikes · 03/04/2024 19:44

The only way you can help him is leave him.

Don’t let this dreadful situation slowly become your normal, because it WILL f*ck up your DS.

ru53 · 03/04/2024 19:52

Absolutely leave this man as soon as you can. It’s not your job to fix him, only he can do that and it doesn’t sound like he wants to. You are worth more than this. You also won’t be able to hide his appalling behaviour from the kids for ever and it will only get worse.