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What would you do if the person you were with for 5 years turned out to be an alcoholic and drank to escape the stress in their life, and as a result, they end up cheating on you? Would you say they were 100% responsible for their actions, or would you forgive them for it and support their recovery?

DerekMcElwee 4 July 13
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18 comments

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2

Drunk or not,we're always responsible for our own actions.

Dew25 Level 7 July 15, 2019
1

That happened to me. But I made the decision that I was not going to sacrifice the rest of my life helping her to recover. It was a selfish decision, yes, but also a practical one. And I've never regretted it. She was never able to totally recover.

mischl Level 8 July 14, 2019
0

Those are deal breakers.

dare2dream Level 7 July 14, 2019
2

make a decision on the basis of cheating, which would be deliberate. do you tolerate it or not? drinking is an addiction from which it's hard to escape. you could be supportive of recovery efforts.

TheDoubter Level 9 July 14, 2019
6

As a veteran of a 20 year marriage to an abusive alcoholic, I have absolutely no pity and no excuses for addicts. You are absolutely 100% responsible for your actions. You can make excuses all day long. But at the end of the day...your life and your choices and the fallout....are on you.

9

The two options are not mutually exclusive. I’ve learned to take care of me first. So that’s the question I ask. Can I be healthy in this relationship? If not, you gotta go.

8

Only you can make that call, but no mater if they were drunk or sober, they are responsible for their actions. If they have not said they want to stop for themselves asking them to do it for you or your relationship will never work.

4

Leave ASAP.

St-Sinner Level 9 July 13, 2019
5

Fast answer... Go to Al-Anon. Alcoholics only care about their next drink. Don't be an enabler. For your own sake, get off the alcoholic merry-go-round NOW or you will harm yourself.

3

Ive given lots of second chances.. third or fourths? Depends on how much i like them..

hippydog Level 8 July 13, 2019

I've given a few second chances myself

7

I guess first I would wonder how it took you 5 years to see this...

4

That actually happened to me but with a different twist. Mt 2nd partner was a maintenance drinker and only drank enough to help her get by. She went to the top of her career at the university we worked at and even got her masters in International Relations. But things weren't right and I finally figures it out and confronted her and she admitted it and things went downhill from there. I moved to Seattle and told her if she wanted to come with me she would have to go through detox and she did. The next 5 years were wonderful until she relapsed. I also had to attend Al Anon and learn not to be an enabler. We tend to do that with the ones we love and it is a hard habit to break. She had no lovers as alcohol was her love and we broke up because I wouldn't share her with the drink. Later I found she had returned home to Michigan, got her law degree and moved to Arizona to do work with some native tribes.

JackPedigo Level 9 July 13, 2019

@sweetcharlotte Problem was I learned to not be an enabler. She didn't want to get married as this would mean whoever she was with would throw her out of the house. She didn't want to have kids as the disease was in the family and she didn't want to pass on what she had to go through to another. Unfortunately, her stupid parents got involved (the 2nd time family interfered in my relationships). They encouraged her to kick me out of the house (which turned out to actually help me). Her father and brother came to Seattle from Detroit and after having to deal with her actually set up a meeting in my office to ask for my help. Too late. I have not heard from her since (1997) but have received several phone calls (even after moving to Lopez) from someone trying to find her. I realized these calls were from collection agencies. No she did not do better she remained the same and probably got worse.

After living with my late partner I realized all the aggravations in life led me to what a real relationship should be all about. We really need to get away from pie-in-the-sky emotions and approach life using a sense of reason. My late partner's motto was "Discipline first then love". This meant reason first then emotion. Thanks for asking and please don't be an enabler (I know it is sometimes hard).

6

The drinking and cheating are separate issues. Treat the cheating as if it were done by a sober partner. Would you accept an apology and carry on?

UUNJ Level 8 July 13, 2019
2

I tried to save my dead brother life by a court ordered 9 month inpatient detox program for 47 year long drunkards....his lawyer cut a deal to keep him on antabuse and he was dead 7 months later drinking wine IMMEDIATELY after the SHERIFF forced him to take his pills he puked it all out and boozed the next 6 days away before the next SHERIFF pill.....some people keep smoking out the hole in their throat after voice box is covered in tumors....they want to die in complete denial of their addiction

0

This is a profound ethical medical question needing a few more facts....does she think she's legally married to you responsible for her dead body next of kin ? Everyone is 100% responsible unless forced to do things at gunpoint or drugged like Bill Cosby raped children/women.....If you are her legal guardian you can intervene and have her committed to detox. Forgiveness is a completely different question. Violating a sexual fidelity promise includes STDs pregnancy and enabling her poor conduct if you forgive her to her face....Forgiveness for you is letting go of the expectation she is a loyal lover....ultimately she is committing slow suicide drinking and fucking boozed anywhere....she is not relieving stress as you say....she is diving into an endless bottle drinking until unconscious....quit telling yourself or her anymore lies....find a RATIONAL RECOVERY or other secular booze dope support group and keep going for yourself to learn about addictions....invite her to go with you....make your ethical decisions based upon legal responsibility not emotional rationalizing

4

I don't think drinking is the cause of cheating , although cheating , may be the cause of stress . Someone who hides their drinking knows they have a problem , enjoys their problem , has no intention of doing anything about changing it , but doesn't want to listen to you telling them they have a problem .

Cast1es Level 9 July 13, 2019
3

Already went through this except for cheating . I understand what she is going through forgave her still close friends just not lovers

bobwjr Level 10 July 13, 2019
5

That's a really hard question. Just because the alcoholic wants to recover does not mean that the alcoholic will recover. I would say give it a chance and be supportive, but if it's beginning to look bad call it quits.

Kojaksmom Level 8 July 13, 2019

Good advice

@Unity I forgot to mention to go to Al-Anon for meetings. They help the person dealing with the alcoholic, and they also teach you how to not fall into being an enabler.

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