[joanie59]

Hi Debbie
I’m in the same boat my son is 52
We probably have the same experiences
Mind is currently in hospital with alcohol poisoning followed by bleeding from his bottom followed by Covid now
I am so tired of it all

[wendyh]

Hi All. I am new to this site and it is the first time I have reached out for support and advice for myself online. I have tried Al-Anon but as it is not an advice provider, I struggled with it.

I have a 32 year old son who has chronic alcoholism, anxiety and depression. Like Debbie1966 (and many others of you) I have been going round in circles getting help. The mental health team don’t help when he is drinking and CGL accept his statement that he is not an alcoholic and can manage his drinking himself. To cut a long story short, he now drinks up to 1.5l whiskey a day, is covered in bruises and contusions due to his falls, has not eaten for 5 days and is dehydrated. I have had paramedics out 3 nights running, he has self discharged from the hospital and refuses treatment. I am watching my son die in front of me as he is deemed to have capacity. I am now desperate and just want to help him. Safeguarding reports have been submitted due to his self neglect, I have a GP who just says call 111 and today, the hospital did not let the paramedics take him as he would likely refuse treatment.

This is heart breaking and exhausting, especially as he says he will kill himself if I do not give him alcohol.

[Debbie1966]

ladies so sad to read ,the fact of being ours sons and watching them distroying their lives and unable to stop is horrible and draining the years iv felt helpless lonely as it’s not a conversation you want to share with anyone ,so we just lift them up (for a period) them the cycle all starts again ,I too am a new first post was my first ,it so reassuring that we do have something in common (not what we wish for )thanks ladies it’s helpful to share our terrible bits of life with the fact we are unable to change them gosh iv tried n tried ,I hope we continue with this conversation it helps to make it alittle more bearable in our difficult days/week/months ..sharing is helpful ,,I wish for Jack to just stop and never drink again ,it’s a long lonely road for all of us and our families bringing this to us ,,thank you x

[bettybirkenhead]

Hi

So sorry to hear about your situations, and thank you for sharing. I think it helps (me anyhow), know I am not alone, this is not a unique situation, and people survive, and people can recover – I try to remain hopeful.

My adult daughter has been alcohol dependent for 5yrs, completed multiple detoxes, 2x rehabs last year, 50+hospital admissions last year, stuck in a cycle of binge for a few weeks, body gives up, abstinent for a week or 2, then repeat. She has lots of support, not enabling as far as I know/read, and often feel at a loss. I know recovery has to come from her, I facilitate when she wants help (taking to dr, psychiatrist, food shopping – etc), and have tried the ‘detach with love’ – but its hard and the whole thing can be exhausting (balancing life, other kids, full time work).

thanks

[Debbie1966]

Hi, it sounds positive that your daughter is taking important steps of recovery and excepts there is a problem,how many times and does it work is my nagging question,my son as never acknowledged he as a big problem which is plain as day, how do you get intouch with agencies whom offer help/rehab… it’s so frustrating with years of denial and distrust,it’s been a tough one this week with the cycle of drunk nasty mardy ,I’m not sure anymore of what to do other than not to talk as it ends with shouting (at me) I try to let it go over my head but it is tiresome

[Liam7]

Watching my adult son struggle with addiction has been the hardest experience of my life. He was once full of potential, bright and kind, but slowly, drugs took over. At first, it was denial—I thought it was just a phase. Then came the late-night calls, the lies, the missing money, and the broken promises.

There were moments of hope—rehab, clean stretches, him trying to rebuild—but the relapses were heartbreaking. As a parent, it’s a constant battle between wanting to help and not enabling. I’ve learned that love sometimes means setting boundaries, even when it hurts.

Support groups and therapy have helped me stay grounded. I still hold onto hope every day that he’ll find lasting recovery. Addiction doesn’t just affect one person—it shakes the whole family. But we’re still here, still fighting, still loving him through it.

 

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