BOOZE MADE ME CHEAT WITH EX

Dear Coleen

I cheated on my boyfriend with my ex. I have no feelings for my ex and truly love my partner, but I had been going through such a bad time with alcohol dependency, which I have since come through.

I was really drunk when I got together with my ex. He had been out of my daughter’s life for six months and having him involved again just felt like a huge relief.

I have told my partner what happened, but I don’t think he can forgive me.

I feel sick about it and don’t really know what to do. Please can you help?

Coleen says

It’s clear that what happened was related to drink and the fact the father of your child was back on the scene again. You’ve got to forgive yourself, but you also have to accept your partner has a right to be hurt and angry, and he might not get over it.

But it’s done and you can’t change what happened – all you can do is be honest about why you did it and what you want from the future.

Your boyfriend is probably worried about what might happen if you fall off the wagon again. His trust in you has suffered serious damage, understandably, and it can take a long time to rebuild that.

He might be able to do it, given some time and space, but some people really can’t forgive infidelity, so it might be a case of you having to move on and learn from it.

What’s really positive, though, is that you’ve managed to come through alcohol dependency and are in a far better place to create a happy life for you and your daughter.

Good luck.