That's an interesting question, TM. I stayed with my AH for 12 years even though he denied he was an alcoholic, refused treatment and was a nightmare. The reason I finally left was because in Feb. he turned violent. Not that he hadn't been violent before but he had never hit me before. Of course he started that in Feb and took until May before I left.
But, I knew that first night in Feb. that I had to leave.
You know what I still have a hard time understanding is that if he had never abused me physically I would still be there. I would have never left.
That makes me sad and angry.
I still love him and I still want to be with him but I can't--that makes me sad.
Knowing what he did to me all those years. Knowing how bad it was when it didn't have to be--that makes me angry.