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Husband and alcohol

11 replies

Tomatoketchupred · 08/12/2023 09:49

Hard to write this, but my husband has a problem with alcohol. Well I think he does.
since we met 5 years ago, he’s always liked a drink, a beer mainly. The last 18 months, he started to pop off after work for one, and then lie about it. This has got worse and worse as time has gone on. He now stops off on his way home from work and has up to 5 pints. Sometimes it’s just a couple but sometimes it’s 5. He is driving afterwards to come home. He will say he’s popping to the shop to get milk, but disappear for ages and go for a drink in the middle of the day. I catch him out often but he lies about it. Says he has no problem and that it’s normal. He does manage to do his job, I don’t think alcohol has affected that aspect of his life yet, but he drink drives and needs a license for his job, never mind the fact he could kill an innocent person.

the thing is, it’s badly affecting our relationship now. He isn’t very nice after a drink, very short tempered and the best way to describe him would be annoying. He isn’t a pleasant person when drinking.
has had issues with depression In the past, not sure if that’s relevant. It’s come to a head because I’ve stopped liking him. I’ve stopped wanting to sleep with him, and he’s noticed. He’s upset as previously we’ve always been intimate a lot. I’ve now explained to him why I feel that way, quite simply him after a drink is off putting, and I told him that I think he has a problem with drink.
he’s admitted he does have a problem today, but says he can quit without help. I know he can’t.

i love him, we have kids together and when he’s not had a drink he’s amazing. I do want to help and support but how? Selfishly though it’s destroying me.

OP posts:
Tomatoketchupred · 08/12/2023 09:53

I forgot to add, he also secretly buys drink and hides it and drinks when he thinks I’m not looking or I’m out working ect.

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 08/12/2023 09:59

Drink driving would be the dealbreaker for me. I would end the relationship (and if you know he's doing it call 999).

Motnight · 08/12/2023 10:02

NerrSnerr · 08/12/2023 09:59

Drink driving would be the dealbreaker for me. I would end the relationship (and if you know he's doing it call 999).

I agree.

Tomatoketchupred · 08/12/2023 10:03

I’ve thought about it. I honestly have. He would lose his job in an instant and that’s what pays our bills. Peoples lives are more important and if he did ever hurt anyone I’d never forgive myself for knowing, but I’m finding it hard to know what to do for the best

OP posts:
TooOldForThisNonsense · 08/12/2023 10:04

He’s admitted he has a problem which is a start but only the start. How is he now planning to address it?

I would also call the police on him next time I suspected he was drunk driving that’s absolutely disgraceful. You have kids, he could kill someone else’s kid or parent very easily.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 08/12/2023 10:05

Tomatoketchupred · 08/12/2023 10:03

I’ve thought about it. I honestly have. He would lose his job in an instant and that’s what pays our bills. Peoples lives are more important and if he did ever hurt anyone I’d never forgive myself for knowing, but I’m finding it hard to know what to do for the best

he’d lose his job also if he killed somebody and ended up in prison.

NerrSnerr · 08/12/2023 10:06

Tomatoketchupred · 08/12/2023 10:03

I’ve thought about it. I honestly have. He would lose his job in an instant and that’s what pays our bills. Peoples lives are more important and if he did ever hurt anyone I’d never forgive myself for knowing, but I’m finding it hard to know what to do for the best

He'd lose his job instantly if he died in a car crash too.

I'm sure it would be of huge comfort to the family of anyone he kills that you didn't call 999 because you was worried about his job.

Tomatoketchupred · 08/12/2023 10:06

TooOldForThisNonsense · 08/12/2023 10:04

He’s admitted he has a problem which is a start but only the start. How is he now planning to address it?

I would also call the police on him next time I suspected he was drunk driving that’s absolutely disgraceful. You have kids, he could kill someone else’s kid or parent very easily.

You’re absolutely right. It is disgraceful. Next time I know he’s drinking and driving I will report him. Maybe it’s the kick he needs to realise he has a problem.
he says he can just quit and doesn’t need help, but obviously I think that’s rubbish.

OP posts:
Tomatoketchupred · 08/12/2023 10:09

NerrSnerr · 08/12/2023 10:06

He'd lose his job instantly if he died in a car crash too.

I'm sure it would be of huge comfort to the family of anyone he kills that you didn't call 999 because you was worried about his job.

You’re right of course. Next time I know wha drinking and driving I’ll report him. I know it’s the right thing to do.

OP posts:
Motnight · 08/12/2023 10:36

Pretty sure that he doesn't have to know that it's you who reported him, Op?

CarrotyO · 19/12/2023 07:54

Look into SMART recovery - there are online meetings for family and friends, as well as for people struggling with addiction / alcoholism. If he admits there is a problem, that is a great first step. Get a copy of Alcohol Explained by William Porter, read it and get your husband to read it to. There is lots of help available to get him through this - AA, Smart Recovery, support accessed through the NHS, private therapy/counseling. 'Put the shovel down' is a really good YouTube channel for advice regarding how to support people through addiction. Alcholism can only spiral and get worse. His options are to keep spiraling or to stop. He needs to realise that he can't moderate, it's making him depressed, and it is causing his problems not relieving them.

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