I’m really struggling to see a way through my current situation. Over the past few months, my partner’s behaviour changed drastically, becoming paranoid, saying strange things, and refusing to get medical help. It eventually turned into full-blown psychosis, and he’s now in hospital under a section. He could technically be discharged anytime in the next few months depending on how things go.
Before all this, he was drinking heavily to cope. He’s always had issues with alcohol, though it wasn’t always obvious. The doctors have made it clear that if he keeps drinking, he’s likely to keep ending up back in hospital. Despite that, he insists he’ll still be able to “have a few” when he’s out. I honestly don’t think that’s realistic, and I know I don’t have the strength to go through another episode like this.
We have two children in their early teens. Because of some of his behaviour before he was admitted, the situation was flagged as a safeguarding concern and I've had a few calls with children services who say they have no concerns about me. They do have concerns about him. I completely understand that he’s unwell, but some of what happened was frightening for all of us. If he doesn’t stay engaged with treatment and recovery, I can’t be the one holding everything together next time. My priority has to be keeping the kids safe and emotionally stable and myself too, so that I can be the parent they need.
I’ve been offered the chance to move to another part of the country where I’d have much stronger support, something I don’t have where we are now. I feel incredibly guilty even thinking about it because it would mean uprooting the kids, but part of me feels that a temporary disruption could be far better than living in constant uncertainty and fear.
I guess I’m just looking for some perspective. Has anyone been in a similar position, or have thoughts on what they’d do?