Thanks for the reply Ygrec. I think the main problem is alcohol and your wife needs to get into a treatment program. I agree with Leed who mentioned AA meetings and wolfsong who suggested calling the police on her. I bet she would stop if she knew there were repercussions for hitting you. The alcohol is making this behavior worse and alcohol abuse can cause premature dementia - my brother who ended his life was diagnosed with alcohol induced dementia. If I were you, I would refuse to keep alcohol in the house and this would be more money in your pocket. She needs to cut it out completely. We've been having severe financial troubles too but I don't go around hitting my partner. Tell her you'll call the police if she touches you aggressively again.