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Adrienne12

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I have been with my boyfriend for the past five years. He has stuck by me through the panic attacks, the nightmares and mood swings. When we first met, I was a complete wreck. I was using every drug imaginable. He was drinking heavily at the time too. It was like a "tornado meets a volcano."

One night after both of us partying too much...we had a huge fight. He choked me and beat me up. This was the first and last time he laid his hands on me. That night....I packed my stuff and went home to my parents. He came to my parent's house with a loaded gun. (I did not know he had the gun) My parent's saw what he did to me and called the police as soon as he showed up.

He resisted arrest and they had him on the ground. That is when they found the gun. He was suspended from his job for 18 months. I had a restraining order on him and we did not speak for 6 months.

In that 6 months, I missed him more than anything. I didn't know what happened or how things got as far as they did. I cleaned myself up. No more drugs. He ended up in rehab. He was sober the entire 6 months. We started talking again. He apologized numerous times and we gave it another shot.

I was scared to try again because I didn't trust him. I thought people like him are incapable of change. However, he proved me wrong. He stayed sober for the next three years. He supported me and stuck by me. He became my best friend. It gave me hope that he was a changed person.

We having been spending a lot of time apart lately. I know this has been hard on him. He has told me that he misses me being there all the time etc. I have kept my distance because the PTSD had gotten worse. I tend to isolate. When I would spend time with him......I wouldn't pay much attention to him. I would sit there in my own world. I know how hard it must be for him to understand. I also realize PTSD lasts a lot longer than everyone's patience. He knew I wasn't right in the head when he met me and I refused to discuss with him what happened in detail as I felt it would only anger him. I didn't want him to feel helpless like I did. Nor did I want him to see me how I saw myself at the time which was disgusting.

Now that I rambled (I just figured the backstory was necessary).....Tonight he drank. Not just a few drinks. He calls me completely shit faced telling me he needs me and to come get him etc. It brought me back to the times we were both using too much. I feel nothing but anger for him. Even though I know how hard this has been for him. It doesn't give him an excuse to drink. He promised me he wouldn't ever touch it again. I refuse to pick him up from where he is because I know what an angry drunk he can be. This is also a threat to my own sobriety which I have worked very hard at maintaining.

I am wondering if I should give him a get out of jail free card because of the stress my illness has caused him?? Maybe he needed a night to just party? Or am I making excuses because I love him? Maybe me being sick is too much for him to take and we aren't right for each other.
 
You leave his little butt right there in jail. You are NOT responsible for his decision to consume alcohol. You are NOT responsible for his well being, no matter how much you feel like he means to you. You were NOT the cause of him getting drunk, you CANNOT be the cause for him to stay sober. You are both recovering addicts, the kindest thing you can do for each other is to keep some distance from one another, so as to insure you both have as much of a chance to stay sober as possible. I don't care if you're a flat out maliciously abusive girlfriend (which obviously you're not), you are not responsible for his choice to drink. If you keep him out of your life until he's sober, trust me, you'll be doing him a favor. You'll be showing him that his decision to drink alcohol has bad consequences. It is an act of love to NOT support him in anyway while he choses to drink and/or do drugs.

He is (as is evident by his recently resorting to alcohol as a coping mechanism) still developing strategies for dealing with day to day stresses and emotions. It sounds like you are doing the same. You both need to focus on yourselves first and becoming whole on your own before you can ever have a chance at coming together again and having any type of a meaningful relationship.
 
This isn't Monopoly this is your life. Besides you answered your own question:
He was drinking heavily at the time He choked me and beat me up. This was the first and last time he laid his hands on me. .

Need I say more? I don't think I have to. Your words speak volumes........

You are YOUR number one priority. You need to keep yourself safe.

Hugs. Heather
 
Thanks guys. It is difficult to take another blow when you are already low. I hate drugs/alcohol with a passion now. I have no tolerance for it.

Ronin...He is definitely staying where he is for the night. I have no intention of getting him.

Thanks for the hugs Heather. They are always appreciated.
 
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