I stayed because I kept hoping things would change. I wanted to believe his promises that he would stop drinking and things would be better. I also stayed out of fear of being alone. My self esteem wasn't great before we married but was about as low as possible after years of verbal abuse. I thought if I left I would be single for the rest of my life. It took me years to realize how alone I was when I was with him and I'd rather be single than in that terrible marriage.