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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

Cheating partner?

10 replies

AH333 · 24/07/2025 21:47

My relationship with my husband has been getting worse and worse over the years. We’ve been together for nearly 20 years since we were teenagers and have four children together but the past few years have been tough.
He no longer drinks at home out of respect for me and the children but because of that, he goes out a lot. I know he takes drugs when he goes out too, and I always have suspicions that he’s lying when I question him about what he’s been doing. I recently have found different local hotel room cards in his wallet after I’ve been away for weekends to see my family, but haven’t confronted him. The other day after a night out there was hundreds of pounds of cash in his wallet which he afterwards said he’d won at a casino. When I did ask him though he immediately gets mad I’m going through his wallet. I wouldn’t go through his phone because if he ever found out I’d done that he’d never forgive me. Is that normal? I feel if someone has nothing to hide then why would it matter? He should even be able to show me his phone shouldn’t he? Could it be just out of principle? I feel like I’m wasting my life with a man who I can’t trust and who doesn’t care enough to even try. Is it deceitful of me to consider a private investigator? Should I try and go through his phone for my personal reassurance? He clearly isn’t going to reassure me and I don’t want to end our marriage based on a hunch or an unfounded bad feeling.
I should add that when he has periods of not drinking / going out we do get on well and I have no thoughts of leaving him. Help!

OP posts:
MiloMinderbinder925 · 24/07/2025 22:44

If you have no thoughts of leaving him then I'd leave well alone. He spends family money on drugs, booze, gambling (?) and I assume other women if he's staying in hotels. I'd get an STD test and use condoms from now on.

AH333 · 24/07/2025 23:48

What do you mean leave well alone?
well yes I agree with you last point, I’ve not slept with him for two years because of my doubts. 😣 not helping our relationship either!

OP posts:
MiloMinderbinder925 · 24/07/2025 23:56

AH333 · 24/07/2025 23:48

What do you mean leave well alone?
well yes I agree with you last point, I’ve not slept with him for two years because of my doubts. 😣 not helping our relationship either!

He's not going to stop and you're not going to leave so why spend money on a detective or waste time going through his phone?

Personperson · 25/07/2025 00:33

I'd have to look so I'd know the score.

That's on me though.

However it sounds like it's been over a long time. Start making plans to separate. This is no way to live.

DazedAndConfused321 · 25/07/2025 01:04

You've just admitted that when he's not drinking (which seems to be abnormal and rare), things are good. But if he drinks all the time, does drugs, stays in hotels and probably cheats on you, it's not worth it for the few good days you have together. Get your ducks in a row, don't pause your life for his benders.

Catoo · 25/07/2025 02:07

Sounds to me like the relationship has run its course. Why bother checking his phone? Do you want to try and rekindle things? Have you discussed his behaviours and reasons why you don’t have sex anymore (I wouldn’t either btw, he could be picking up all sorts)?

Time to see a divorce solicitor (without him knowing) and find out what the financial situation is likely to be for you so you can plan.

The money he’s spending on drink and drugs and hotels etc could be spent on your children. It would be a no from me.

ForMauveSquid · 25/07/2025 03:23

You're not being unreasonable—trust is clearly broken, and your concerns are valid. Hotel key cards, drug use, unexplained cash, and secretive behavior aren’t minor issues. It’s not just a “hunch”—it’s a pattern. You're stuck between your history together and the reality now.

No, it’s not deceitful to consider a private investigator. If you feel you're being lied to but can’t get the truth, that’s a way to protect yourself and make informed decisions. As for the phone—you shouldn’t have to go through it to feel secure. But when someone is secretive and defensive, it's normal to question what they're hiding.

Bottom line: you deserve clarity and honesty. If he won’t give it to you, getting outside support—whether that’s a PI, couples therapy, or legal advice—isn’t sneaky, it’s smart.

Butterflywings84 · 25/07/2025 04:00

You don’t trust him which is huge in itself. Even if he isn’t cheating - how long do you want to put up with these benders and him blowing money? Do the children know what states he gets in?

AH333 · 25/07/2025 13:52

Thank you so much for the replies. I am just so worn down by it all I often doubt myself thinking I’m over reacting and that it’s normal. I don’t have any evidence of cheating etc which is why I haven’t left already. I suppose that would make the decision a lot simpler which is why I was thinking about a private investigator (but is that any less deceitful than going through someone’s phone?)

OP posts:
Girlmom35 · 25/07/2025 13:57

Honey, you have all the evidence you need.
What more do you want? A videotape of him in the act?
He drinks
He goes out all the time
He does drugs
He gambles
He's visiting hotel rooms with god knows who
He's secretive with his phone
He won't tell you about unexplained money in his wallet

How many more reasons do you need to leave him? You've got plenty already!

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