I've been trying to detach from my husband, but I keep getting side tracked when he flips it around. He drinks everyday. Not always till he's drunk but usually at least buzzed. I'm pretty sure he drinks just to feel normal most days. It's gotten pretty distant between us lately just because he sees the disgust from me, so instead of trying to fix it he just looks at me the same way, which then makes me miserable because I love him and don't want him to think so little of me. It's a cycle! I'm just at a loss, because instead of worrying about myself like I KNOW is the right thing, I always seem to have him on my mind too even though I try not to. How do you stop? On the 4th of July we always go to where I grew up and watch the fireworks with my family, which he doesn't like to do anymore because he knows that my family knows what he does and he doesn't like that so he tries to stay away and keep me away from them too. Which will never happen! But it was so obvious on the 4th, because we went there, and he created this whole story about my sister and my dad, who I'm very very close with and tried to get me mad at them and just talked crap about them. Come to find out it didn't happen how he said. So he was just trying to isolate me from them and the whole night he had this cocky, to good for anybody attitude and acted like he was the one in charge of the kids and I, just seemed like to prove a point to my family. They are not mean or rude to him either. He's just so miserable with his own choices and chooses not to fix them so he takes it out on everyone else. I don't know how to go about it all. It doesn't help talking to him because he's a really smooth talker and can turn anything around, and believe me I've tried everything, crying, screaming, just talking, begging, everything. I don't want to leave, I just want to know how to not care as much or at all. I want to know how I live my life without him making it so hard.
I'm going through something similar. Things are extremely rough between my husband and I right now. I'm currently struggling with not wanting to leave, wanting us to be close/wanting to distance myself from the pain associated with his actions, and how to live a more happier life.
Over the past several months I've really worked on not tracking his drinking/going out, and trying to stop controlling his alcoholism. I've gotten pretty good at this part, and it has helped me be able to concentrate on myself and the boundaries I need to set to take care of myself. I'm by far, not in a good place. I still have a lot of anger and hurt, but it feels good to feel like I'm not just along for the ride of what he does, and empowered that I can make decisions on what my life will look like.
If there is something that has really helped me feel like less like I'm drowning and powerless, it's been seeing a therapist. I feel like I'm moving forward. I'm still a mess, but I at least feel like I have the power to control my life.
Thank you for replying. I will try to forcus on the same by not tracking his going out or drinking. It's hard though because he's out right now. Was supposed to be home about 45 minutes ago and don't know when he'll show up. Then tomorrow he'll sleep in till late and then head back to work, and it's the kids and I who are just stranded here by ourselves again night after night. It gets frustrating. Especially after joining this site and seeing most of us going through the same things over and over again. It makes you just want to scream and say could you be any more predictable and maybe realize that you have a problem!! My goodness!!! I have to do something because I'm just driving myself crazy and not helping anything.
Thank you both for sharing what you're going through, JCB and Posey. It helps me know I'm not alone and I'm not crazy. It IS hard! Especially with a child/ren involved. My husband just started Antabuse yesterday at his therapist's recommendation. It's really my last resort. If he can't quit drinking (drinks on Antabuse and gets sick), I'm letting that be my indication that I need to take our grandson and myself out of this situation. I can't take it anymore - the believing and getting fooled... over and over and over. I wish I could find someone who has done this Antabuse thing before. I realize it won't "cure" him, but it should keep him from drinking while he figures out how to deal with cravings and figure out how to live without alcohol. I wish you both the best!
I never heard of Antabuse before getting on this site. I hope it works for him! Prayers for you and your family. I would recommend my husband take it too but I know he wouldn't right now when he is in the mood he's been in for the last couple months, which is where he has no intentions on quitting right now because he just wants to defend his actions and put the blame on me. But maybe if he decides to change his attitude, I'll bring it up as an option to help him.
Thanks, Posey. I don't think my hubby would have taken it on my suggestion, either, but we were both in his therapist's office, and his therapist suggested it when I told him how this last "slip" affected me, i.e., one more and I'm gone with our grandson. If your husband has a therapist, maybe you could do it there... ? Best to you!
I'm going through something similar. Things are extremely rough between my husband and I right now. I'm currently struggling with not wanting to leave, wanting us to be close/wanting to distance myself from the pain associated with his actions, and how to live a more happier life.
Over the past several months I've really worked on not tracking his drinking/going out, and trying to stop controlling his alcoholism. I've gotten pretty good at this part, and it has helped me be able to concentrate on myself and the boundaries I need to set to take care of myself. I'm by far, not in a good place. I still have a lot of anger and hurt, but it feels good to feel like I'm not just along for the ride of what he does, and empowered that I can make decisions on what my life will look like.
If there is something that has really helped me feel like less like I'm drowning and powerless, it's been seeing a therapist. I feel like I'm moving forward. I'm still a mess, but I at least feel like I have the power to control my life.
Best,
JCB