
My husband is an alcoholic. We’ve been married almost 8 years and have three kids under 7. I left once before in hopes of him getting the treatment he needs, but he didn’t and I was stupid and weak and went back prematurely. Well, here we are almost 2 years later and I moved me and the kids out again. This wasn’t a hasty angry move. I told him 4000 times that I love him, but that I won’t live with the drinking any longer. I have set up strict guidelines, including counseling, AA, and marriage counseling, before I will move home. I really want our marriage to work, but having grown up with an alcoholic Father and moving on to a husband with the same issues, I’m done dealing with the drinking.
For the first time in our marriage, he has agreed to get some help, even though he still feels he doesn’t need it. I have prayed, talked to our pastor, a counselor, and read about alcoholism and the role I have played extensively. I am committed to my decision to try to work this out. My problem is his Mother. She has been telling him that she is mad at my parents for encouraging us to move out. She is also mad that my parents have made it easy to move in with them. Truth is, if my parents weren’t here, I would have moved to a shelter. Also, it’s true that my parents don’t like to watch me getting hurt and dealing with the abuse. BUT, and the big but is, this is all my choice. I hate that his Mother is putting these thoughts in his head. She says I should have stayed and worked things out. She knows he’s an alcoholic, she’s even taken part in an intervention a couple years back. She knows he is in trouble.
I feel like I’m the only one here putting my foot down about trying to get him well. Why is she trying to work against me??? Why wouldn’t you want to see your child get well. I can always tell when he’s talked with her because he’s more angry with me and my parent’s who have nothing to do with our marriage.
How should I handle his Mother. I’m planning on asking him why he hasn’t “corrected” her thoughts and just tell her the truth that I have been trying to work on this “from home” with no response. What would you do?
He has repeatedly admitted that he has a drinking problem, but thinks he knows what AA and counseling will tell him, so he feels he doesn’t need it. I would just file for divorce and move on before I “force” him to do anything. I’m simply telling what he would have to do for me and the kids to consider moving back in with him.
Betterman…..my Father is still drinking and behaving like a full on alcoholic. He is homeless and, no, I do not still love him. I gave him many chances, but he only got worse over time. I can’t stand him.