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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

Feeling more like a carer than a partner after nine years

237 replies

Dogbestfreinds · 02/05/2026 13:22

Not sure where to begin but I need help.
Im 34 bf 42.
Been in a relationship for 9years, the past 4 years have been rough, my bf is an alcoholic, I didn’t know this when we first met but it became clear as the relationship went on.
I feel like he relies heavily on me, I take him shopping, sort out appointments, pick up his medications, borrow him money, visit him nearly every day (when I don’t he gets moody).

we don’t live together, never have dates, he sits and games from finishing work to going to bed this is the same all weekend to. If I mention about doing anything he isn’t interested or everything boils down to money.
Hes spend over £3000 on a gaming rig when he knows his house needs repairs.
over the past few months he’s been lending nearly £300 every month, If I don’t have it he gets upset, he doesn’t borrow all at once it’s in dribs and drabs. Then he makes jokes about having to pay me back when we’re in a relationship.

He only calls me when I’m upset or he wants something. He doesn’t visit me cause at my house he’s bored (he has no way of gaming). He’s made comments like ‘I hope you crash your car’ then said he was joking.
I used to go and clean his home but I’ve stopped doing that now cause it’s never kept clean he doesn’t care about it so why should I.

I feel more like his carer than his partner and if I’m honest I don’t want this for the rest of my life but I feel eaten up by anxiety when I think about ending it.

ive also never ended a relationship before, sounds stupid but I don’t even know how to.
my family can see I’m unhappy, and I know I am, but every time I think of leaving I get this awful feeling of guilt. He has no parents, his parents have passed away, he has two children 17 & 22. 17year old lives with him, he’s followed in dad’s footsteps and drinking. 22year old barely has contact.

I think I’m a little lost right now, everyone around me is getting married, having family holidays and we’ve never in 9years done anything like that.
has anyone else been or going through the same thing?

OP posts:
SeraphinaDombegh · 04/05/2026 11:59

Oh love, you can do so, do much better than this. Singleness is better than being treated this badly. My recommendations would be:

Break up. Now. Don't wait. "This isn't working, I'm not happy. Goodbye."

Cut him out of your life.

Spend time with friends or people who love you.

Use the money he's been borrowing to pay for therapy. It'll do you the world of good and help you avoid getting into this situation again.

Be happy.

MyOtherProfile · 04/05/2026 12:00

How are you doing @Dogbestfreinds ?

I hope you've found the courage to walk away.

Cleocaterpillar · 04/05/2026 12:02

Logically its very easy to leave this man as you don't live together, have no children and he's a prick so its a no brainer.

Emotionally I understand how incredibly hard it is. Its so easy to say leave when you're not emotionally involved.

I would start by doing the freedom program (you can do it online), reading Why does he do that and Living with the dominator. Read everything you can find on narcissistic abuse, cycle of violence, emotional abuse, coercive control etc. You need to slowly train your mind to detach from this man and spot the abusive and contolling patterns and techniques. Start visualising a life without him. How will you spend your free time, what hobbies will you take up, what will you do with the extra money?

You cannot undo almost a decade of emotional ties and behaviour patterns in one night, despite what posters on mumsnet think 🙄 start slow, gradually detach yourself and it will get easier I promise 💐

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 04/05/2026 12:03

I hope you find the courage and inner strength to leave this awful relationship and recognise you deserve so much more.

Theonebutnotonly · 04/05/2026 12:04

DelphiniumBlue · 02/05/2026 13:44

You are 34. Your Dp has had a family. You are young enough to find a better quality guy and have your own family, if that's what you want to do. If having children is on your agenda at all, you need to start thinking about how this will happen. You certainly don't want to stay with DP for another 5 years and then realise that it's getting to be too late.
Maybe children are not on your list of things to do, but think about what a nice, interesting life you could have if you weren't burdened with this useless guy. You'd have more money, more time and energy, and more fun. You won't meet anyone else while you are spending all your time running around after DP, but just think, you could be with someone who cares about, you who has interests you could share. Or you could be by yourself, following your own ideas and dreams, taking up new hobbies and and making new friends. It sounds like DP is contributing nothing to your happiness, and you don't owe him anything. You're not his mum, why would you even get involved with sorting out his medication/appointments/shopping?
You can just tell him that it's not working for you, so you're calling it a day. And that's it. You can wait till next time he goes "moody" on you, or next time he ignores you while you are at his place, if you feel you'll need a reason. Then just say, " you know what, this isn't for me. I'm not getting what I need from this relationship. Bye" Then pick up your bag and walk out that door. You don't have to have a long discussion, or convince him to agree your decision. You just announce it and go. If you try to have a conversation, he will probably try to get you to justify yourself, or get nasty, so keep it short and then leave.

This.

rwalker · 04/05/2026 12:06

You’ve arrived where you are because of a combination of of guilt ,loyalty and habit

honestly could you see this improving

Dogbestfreinds · 04/05/2026 12:07

Update!

I ended the relationship yesterday, all he said was I can’t stop you you’re not a tree 🤣. I’ve blocked and deleted his number.

Thankful to each and every one of you who commented, you opened my eyes wildly, I knew it was bad but never knew just how bad it was until I posted on here so Thankyou

OP posts:
Dogbestfreinds · 04/05/2026 12:08

MyOtherProfile · 04/05/2026 12:00

How are you doing @Dogbestfreinds ?

I hope you've found the courage to walk away.

Just updated via comment, I ended the relationship

OP posts:
Crispsandcola · 04/05/2026 12:08

Leave him. Take the step. I know it seems terrifying but if you don't you'll suddenly find yourself in your late 50's realising your life was wasted. You have time to start fresh and live for you. Please grab your freedom and run

Middlemarch123 · 04/05/2026 12:10

He’s wrong @Dogbestfreinds
You are tree with strong roots, and you’re about to branch out and blossom.
Well done.

RedLightYellowLight · 04/05/2026 12:11

Huge well done! He expects you to think. You’re missing out and beg him to come back. Enjoy your evenings and reconnect with friends

LostNFoundSV · 04/05/2026 12:11

I was with a v charming alcoholic for just 18 months - I don’t know how you are still in one piece after so long. Sadly, they are not available for relationships which is exhausting for the functioning partner. Get out now before you waste any more time on him. You deserve much better.

YourWildAmberSloth · 04/05/2026 12:13

So glad to hear that you've ended it OP and blocked him as well. However after 9 years he won't give up easily, he'll come crawling back. There will be sob stories and promises, but you need to stay strong. You've wasted enough years on him, don't waste a second more. There might be some co-dependency issues that you need to work through, self-esteem and self worth definitely, so worth exploring counselling for this, but for now just enjoy the freedom that you have just regained.

Jane143 · 04/05/2026 12:13

Dogbestfreinds · 04/05/2026 12:07

Update!

I ended the relationship yesterday, all he said was I can’t stop you you’re not a tree 🤣. I’ve blocked and deleted his number.

Thankful to each and every one of you who commented, you opened my eyes wildly, I knew it was bad but never knew just how bad it was until I posted on here so Thankyou

Not a tree? What does that mean?🤣

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 04/05/2026 12:14

Well done Dogbestfreinds. Start making the plans he’s held you back from.

ThisJadeBear · 04/05/2026 12:14

Well done @Dogbestfreinds enjoy your freedom and the £4000 a year. When you think over 10 years it’s £40,000!
Take really, really good care of yourself. You have many, many decades to go. You deserve every happiness.

Diamondsareforever72 · 04/05/2026 12:16

Well done! This random stranger is really proud of you!
Time to get your life back.

zingally · 04/05/2026 12:16

Dogbestfreinds · 04/05/2026 12:08

Just updated via comment, I ended the relationship

Well done!

You'll look back on this weekend, a year from now, and realise it was the best thing you ever did.
Maybe start saving that £300 a month, and this weekend next year you'll have £3600, then use that money to go on a genuinely lovely holiday. You've earned it.

gamerchick · 04/05/2026 12:18

Excellent news. With a bit of luck he'll go quietly.

If he doesn't and you get the 'medical emergency' or something. Stand firm. He literally is not your problem and sometimes we need to hit rock bottom before we can climb out of the pit. Anything he does now is to hook you back in.

You're not interested.

Good luck

SeraphinaDombegh · 04/05/2026 12:20

Well done OP! You've taken out the trash 🗑️

Still would recommend doing something like the Freedom Programme, or getting therapy, to unpack why you stayed so long and to help you not end up there again 💛

WearyAuldWumman · 04/05/2026 12:22

@Dogbestfreinds This man is ruining your life. Please finish it.

ETA Have just seen the update. Thank goodness!

Turnitoffnonagain · 04/05/2026 12:23

Glad to hear your update, well done.
Now be sure to drop contact, he can deal with his own bad life choices whilst you get on with pleasing yourself and being happy.
You must feel so much better already. Keep going.👏

SweetnsourNZ · 04/05/2026 12:24

Seelybe · 02/05/2026 13:56

@Dogbestfreinds as is so often the case, just read back over your post.
You've waster between 4 and 9 years of your life already with someone who detracts from your life.
If you don't want to speak to him, send a message saying you're done with this dysfunctional relationship then block his number.
You seriously need to move on, he clearly doesn't care about you at all other than as his personal bank.

Make sure you haven't left anything at his first though. Then block his number and move on to the wonderful life you deserve.

SkipAd · 04/05/2026 12:24

Dogbestfreinds · 04/05/2026 12:07

Update!

I ended the relationship yesterday, all he said was I can’t stop you you’re not a tree 🤣. I’ve blocked and deleted his number.

Thankful to each and every one of you who commented, you opened my eyes wildly, I knew it was bad but never knew just how bad it was until I posted on here so Thankyou

Such brilliant news. Well done you. Welcome to the rest of your life where you choose what makes you happy.

Bowling4soup · 04/05/2026 12:25

Well done!! Proud of you! I think you should start planning a lovely holiday with friends or family now you’re free 😁 or even a solo trip! My sister did that before she had a great time