Sarnia
My second husband became a chronic alcoholic. Respect to Shinamae who has conquered the demon drink. My husband would never face up to his addiction, far less do anything about it. The change in him from a loving, hard working husband and father to a stumbling bully, permanently drunk or hung over was the stuff of nightmares. I felt physically sick when I heard his key in the door because that meant walking on eggshells. The slightest thing would set him off on a rampage. After 3 years of this and his threats becoming more frightening I finally packed his bags and kicked him off to his drinking buddies. By this time I was scared of my children's safety and my own. I divorced him on the grounds of mental cruelty. Any addiction is an utter nightmare for not only the sufferer but for those around them. I really feel for any man, woman and child in that position.
I've lived through this too and it certainly left it's scars!
Without alcohol, he was a kind and funny man, with, a vicious, lying bully who destroyed anyone in his path.
He'd stop drinking for months and then create a situation which would make him turn to alcohol.
Eventually the gaps in between became shorter and shorter.
I can never forget one occasion after leaving him when he traced me to my new place of work, he stood outside screaming the most horrible abuse. I was utterly mortified...colleagues were wonderful.
He killed himself after leaving a letter blaming me for it all.
I do believe there's some truth in the hereditary argument, his mother was, I learnt later a heavy drinker and his brother died due to the effects of alcohol.
