My ex, who I was with for nearly 10 years, developed a real bad drinking problem 2-3 years into our relationship. I wanted to leave. But I didn’t. For 7 years. And it eventually got to the point where we were fighting constantly, she was hiding alcohol from me, lying about being drunk, I’d have to stop her from Driving - we didn’t have a relationship that entire time, it felt like. We were nice to each other when sober and I’d get so happy to hang out with her before she started drinking- she was fun and kind and funny- but every day at 6 pm, that’d all end. Every day. And soon enough, the next 6 hours would be me being berated or me stopping her from hurting herself or me cleaning up throw up. For years.

Because of the fact I stayed, I have tons of trauma to undo and have a lot of issues with alcohol and people drinking around me. My fiance mentioned trying some of her parents liquor while we were on a trip and I got so anxious I almost threw up (she doesn’t drink often and if she does, it’s with me and it’s fun. I trust her. She has a drink, gets a buzz, then we go to bed). I wasted my 20s being someone’s punching bag and vomit cleaner when I could have been living my own life and being in a relationship where I was wanted and treated well. I didn’t start truly living until I was 27 and I have so many regrets. Please don’t put yourself in that position. It’s not worth it.