Originally Posted by
maggies 
I guess I have to admit that his drinking 24/7 is a type of abuse. As he cannot be a good father. He has never been physically violent with us and when he kicked the dog was rather shocking. He doesn't even remember the incident but of course he was sorry. That is a common theme I hear. The alcoholics are always sorry and their apologies seem so genuine. Yet the same drunken incidents will happen again and again.
Alcoholism progresses. That is one of the biggest problems with it and makes it hard to understand how serious the situation is. It won't stay in the current bad state, it will get progress lower and lower, worse and worse. That is the nature of addiction.
The good news is that you are opening your eyes now and seeing that it is not normal or healthy for you, your kids or the dog. That is a BIG step. Stepping out of denial. One day (long ways down the road) you might even look back at yourself and laugh at "what was I thinking!" I definitely do that now.