I think we all wish we had a way to help fix this for you, Deb. We have all known people with alcohol problems. We have all known people who chose to throw their lives away on it. The only person who can make that decision is HIM. But you don' t have to throw away yours.
I think I'd have plan A and plan B. Plan A is if he shapes up and Plan B is what you are going to do without him. and expect that plan B is going to be the fork in the road you take. Because I'd give him the "you need to decide between us" speech when you are READY to leave and not a day before, so you don't make hardship and heartache for yourself. At least your children are grown and they don't really factor in anymore, except that having them home probably interferes with your marriage as well.
My oldest and very dear friend was once married to an alcoholic. He was the father of her children and as he went downhill, she tried to prevent his slide for the sake of their children. He finally slid too far and they divorced, and he later drank too much and took too many pills and "accidentely" passed away. But the reason I tell the story is this. My friend has always been very devout, very much a part of her church, and her first husband was always more interested in drinking and was not, actually, even a very nice or honest man. But her NEW husband, they share religious interests and LOVE discussing their church and together they teach Bible study and center their life around God. My friend is SOOOOOO much happier. It is sad that it took the death of her first husband, but she could do nothing to stop his downward spirol. She tried very hard, but he was just determined to take her down with him and alcohol made him a difficult man. It was too bad, because before he drank, he was kind of a nice guy. It ruins a lot of people.
My hubby never touches a drop, but it is not for a good reason. His own father was an extremely abusive drunk, who drank himself literally to death. Because he has known such an extreme alcoholic, my husband has zero desire to become anything like that and I am thankful. I do think alcoholism can be genetic and hopefully we can stop the cycle at my husband's generation in our family (our grown daughter also does not really drink). My own family is a long line of more refined alcoholics, but even so, it was not an example I really wanted to follow either. My family fancies themselves wine tasters.
