Ten years is a long time, and people change significantly. Think drug abuse. If your SO is strung out all the time, and you have no ability to support yourself, what would you do?
Unfortunately this isn't a corner case. It's a sad but common story.
Unfortunately this isn't a corner case. It's a sad but common story.
Sounds awful. My opinion is still that one should leave the relationship ASAP, regardless of how difficult it is financially. Support groups, family, part time work, driving uber, whatever it takes. I think it's unethical to stay in a relationship for financial security while trying to find a replacement.
Even if there was emotional or physical abuse my answer would be the same. Exit the relationship, find support, don't have an affair.
(I'm genuinely hopeful for an answer.)
* Divorce support groups
* Church (you don't really have to believe)
I imagine it's something I can't truly understand from the outside.
Probably an oversimplified article for a man/woman but it has some good points: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alison-patton/what-smart-women...
You should work out your issues, remove the things in your life that are causing you harm. (That relationship) Then date later. Moving from one bad relationship to another is a huge redflag.