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Original poster

DS (14) in hospital after drinking almost a full bottle of vodka

123 replies

MumofDrunkTeen · 19/07/2025 21:40

He has Type 1 diabetes as well and I was terrified of alcohol poisoning after seeing him uncontrollably puking, not able to walk and talking absolute nonsense.

He seems to have bought it from a local corner shop (who I have reported to the police) and took it with friends to drink in a nearby forest.

I checked his FindMy as I do when he’s out and noticed he was there for a while and had an instinct and when I called him his speech was slurred.

I thought at first it may be a hypo and his CGM was wrong (as it has been recently) so rushed there and his friends were trying to hold him up. They said he was drinking but they weren’t and helped me get him to the car.

He’s had a drip of fluids and slept for a few hours and is talking sense now, just waiting to blood sugar to go up as it’s staying low.

Anyone else experienced this?

Mortified he was swearing and shouting like a road man, demanding more vodka and drugs, while young kids in cubicles all around us!

He’s normally extremely polite and that was an alien side to him!

Worst thing was he was saying, ‘I hate my life why do I have to live with this shit, I want to die’about his Type 1. He will never talk about it and be open about how he feels and this has just made me feel so terrible for him!

OP posts:
TheJumperMan · 19/07/2025 22:39

I'm T1 diabetic, I also went through a period of heavy vodka drinking at this age. It's hard, I sympathise with what he is feeling. It doesn't necessarily get easier, and this will probably not be the last time he does this. Try not to overreact, when he is sober explain the risks, but mostly just show him love.

Icanttakethisanymore · 19/07/2025 22:42

How scary for you both. He obviously needs more support than he’s been willing to accept to deal with his condition. I got diagnosed with MS at 34. It hit me like a tonne of bricks. I know it’s not the same but I can’t imagine having to deal with something like this as a teenager. When was he diagnosed?

drspouse · 19/07/2025 22:44

I do feel for you, and for your DS.
My DH has T1, diagnosed as an adult so he didn't go through it as a teenager but he has also got so fed up with the daily grind and blood sugars that won't behave and feeling like crap - he has reasonably good control but over 30-40 years of having T1 these things happen. He's felt so down about it that I've been worried.
I believe there are specialist psychologists attached to diabetes units if you can find such a thing.
I know girls are also prone to anorexia via high blood sugars. It's a horrible disease especially for teens.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Diabetes
Kaliillusion · 19/07/2025 22:46

This is not in uncommon I don’t think , I have three teens so know a few teenagers , and only recently one of their friends was in the exact position as your son, (t1 diabetic picked up by ambulance after drinking silly amounts of vodka ).
Scary stuff but as others have said , fairly common for teens to self sabotage/ rebel in this way perhaps, scary as that is.
You found him quickly and acted on your instincts and he’s in the best place so these are the positives for now.

Weeee · 19/07/2025 22:46

TheJumperMan · 19/07/2025 22:39

I'm T1 diabetic, I also went through a period of heavy vodka drinking at this age. It's hard, I sympathise with what he is feeling. It doesn't necessarily get easier, and this will probably not be the last time he does this. Try not to overreact, when he is sober explain the risks, but mostly just show him love.

This 👆

Bowies · 19/07/2025 22:52

Aaron95 · 19/07/2025 21:54

Most teenagers will drink far too much at least once and end up in a right state. Hopefully this is a learning experience and he doesn't drink that much again.

Agree with this.

SS seems a bit extreme but hopefully you will both get support.

Soitwillbefine · 19/07/2025 22:53

MumofDrunkTeen · 19/07/2025 21:49

Hospital want to refer to SS and I have agreed as I feel he needs more support.

Diabetes team have no psychologist as last one wasn’t replaced, he refused to engage with private therapy and school counselling,

Although It’s awful, you at least know now that he’s struggling with his diabetes diagnosis and probably how he feels it might limit him or make him different from others. The SS/CAMHS referrals as a good idea but wait times are long so be prepared for that frustration.

From experience, and if you can afford it, I’d try and find a paediatric psychiatrist privately (who works currently within the NHS) to hurry it along. You shouldn’t have to but I am glad we did and were able to.

janeandmarysmum · 19/07/2025 22:58

I've two close relatives who are T1. It's an awful, brutal, unrelenting disease. I agree with PPs who advise getting some support for him, and combine that with love supportive understanding.

Imbusytodaysorry · 19/07/2025 23:02

@MumofDrunkTeen yes agree . Most teenagers do this at least once.
Your son is feeling sorry for himself for not being able to be that “normal teenager “ due to his health condition.
I know it’s been a worry but it should came all right.
Having someone to talk to should help him figure it all out.
I’d go easy on him . Also hospitals have seen and heard it all before.

Livelovebehappy · 19/07/2025 23:03

Aaron95 · 19/07/2025 21:54

Most teenagers will drink far too much at least once and end up in a right state. Hopefully this is a learning experience and he doesn't drink that much again.

Came on to say this. My dd was a similar age when she had a couple of episodes where she drank with friends in a park and I had to pick her up after a call from friends, as she could barely stand up. It’s the age where they try push boundaries and are starting to be influenced more by friends than family. I remember it being really worrying at the time. But she’s now an adult with a good job, a partner and a baby, and so has turned out pretty okay. Don’t think that your ds is going to become a raging alcoholic who is going off the rails. Obviously if it starts to become a recurring thing, then you might need to seek the help of a gp referral, but if it turns out to be a one off (or a couple of incidences) then just keep an eye on things. My DD didn’t have the added complication of diabetes, but she was going through a bit of a rough time as me and her dad had split.

TheCurious0range · 19/07/2025 23:08

The excessive drinking as a one off wouldn't worry me beyond the immediate health implications but his statements about not wanting to be alive and hating living with diabetes would. You're right to get support OP and not brush this off as teenage tomfoolery

Dontlletmedownbruce · 19/07/2025 23:08

Poor kid, poor you. Sending big hugs xxxx pls God all will be OK

grumpyoldeyeore · 19/07/2025 23:19

Had a few incidents with my DS who is type 1. He will probably be embarrassed in front mates and you can explain that being T1 is an added complication but frankly anyone drinking that amount of spirits could have killed themselves. There are few of DS mates who have not been ill with alcohol at some point while they learn their limits. Hopefully it will be a wake up call.

Is he open with mates about T1 and do they know what to do? DS mates did ring me but at uni he was on his own a few times and I had to talk sense into him (not easy when his blood sugars made him irrational!) They can fit if their sugars go too low the day after they’ve been drinking. They must eat carbs if drinking - so stop for something on way home. It’s when they throw up that things go wrong with T1 quickly.

DS is now on a more modern pump that automatically adjusts basal and better cgm and since then he’s managed it much better as has far fewer lows. Ask if he’s on the latest tech as it’s improving all the time. Also if he will wear a smartwatch which shows levels that can help and something that tells medics he’s T1.

Poor control of T1 can also affect MH - this was a factor with DS once he wasn’t wildly swinging from highs to lows his MH issues disappeared. Counselling may help Mind do teen counselling but sometimes it’s that poor control is making them feel crap and affecting sleep etc.

neilyoungismyhero · 19/07/2025 23:21

OurBeautifulBaby · 19/07/2025 22:13

Don’t be ridiculous he’s being a teenager.

Show quote history

Bit more than that if he has issues regarding his diabetes to contend with.

Original poster
MumofDrunkTeen · 19/07/2025 23:23

Well we’re home now! He was covered in puke and mud from falling around in a very muddy forest (we’ve had heavy rain last night) so is in the shower! I’m covered in puke and mud too as only had sliders on and fell on my arse down a ditch in the forest when I was rushing to get to him. Left mud all over the hospital floor and the bed was covered in mud! Apologised profusely but feel terrible!

Doctor had stern words with him and he had said he’ll never touch vodka again but he won’t have access to money for a while and is grounded for the foreseeable. We don’t keep booze in the house as we don’t drink often although he’s been allowed it at bbqs and if we have wine occasionally at Xmas etc. Thought that was the responsible thing to let DC have a bit at home so it’s not seen as some big thing or forbidden!

His blood sugar’s are running a bit high now which is good because he has eaten without insulin to avoid a big crash and I’ll be awake all night to an eye.

I forgot that we’d also referred to CAHMS last year and he’d refused to engage and said he didn’t need support. So he’s had private and YCT engagement as well as that but he wouldn’t engage and says he fine.

Private therapist and YCT both told him it’s his life and his choice and I shouldn’t be making decisions about his diabetes care as he’s Gillick competent, as in if he should have an insulin pump which he didn’t want but I made him have, and his levels are much better with it but he doesn’t like wearing tech understandably. I was quite angry about that as he was 13 and levels were all over the place on injections, most nights disturbed for corrections too. They weren’t experienced with Type 1 so really shouldn’t have been telling him that.

Impossible to find a psychologist who has experience with type 1 teens outside of the NHS in my experience and his team can’t recruit one so haven’t had one since just after his diagnosis.

He was diagnosed at 12. Sometimes wish it had been earlier so he’d grown up before teens not knowing any different.

Doctor said they’re not doing an SS referral after speaking to consultant as it probably wouldn’t be accepted. Slightly disappointed now after initially feeing a bit insulted.

OP posts:
Velmy · 19/07/2025 23:26

Not with the diabetes, but I did neck a full bottle of vodka when I was 15. Parents were called to pick me up, but thankfully by that point I'd puked it all up so didn't need the hospital.

They decided to put me to bed and let my hangover be the punishment.

Woke up fresh as a daisy 😂

Soitwillbefine · 19/07/2025 23:34

MumofDrunkTeen · 19/07/2025 23:23

Well we’re home now! He was covered in puke and mud from falling around in a very muddy forest (we’ve had heavy rain last night) so is in the shower! I’m covered in puke and mud too as only had sliders on and fell on my arse down a ditch in the forest when I was rushing to get to him. Left mud all over the hospital floor and the bed was covered in mud! Apologised profusely but feel terrible!

Doctor had stern words with him and he had said he’ll never touch vodka again but he won’t have access to money for a while and is grounded for the foreseeable. We don’t keep booze in the house as we don’t drink often although he’s been allowed it at bbqs and if we have wine occasionally at Xmas etc. Thought that was the responsible thing to let DC have a bit at home so it’s not seen as some big thing or forbidden!

His blood sugar’s are running a bit high now which is good because he has eaten without insulin to avoid a big crash and I’ll be awake all night to an eye.

I forgot that we’d also referred to CAHMS last year and he’d refused to engage and said he didn’t need support. So he’s had private and YCT engagement as well as that but he wouldn’t engage and says he fine.

Private therapist and YCT both told him it’s his life and his choice and I shouldn’t be making decisions about his diabetes care as he’s Gillick competent, as in if he should have an insulin pump which he didn’t want but I made him have, and his levels are much better with it but he doesn’t like wearing tech understandably. I was quite angry about that as he was 13 and levels were all over the place on injections, most nights disturbed for corrections too. They weren’t experienced with Type 1 so really shouldn’t have been telling him that.

Impossible to find a psychologist who has experience with type 1 teens outside of the NHS in my experience and his team can’t recruit one so haven’t had one since just after his diagnosis.

He was diagnosed at 12. Sometimes wish it had been earlier so he’d grown up before teens not knowing any different.

Doctor said they’re not doing an SS referral after speaking to consultant as it probably wouldn’t be accepted. Slightly disappointed now after initially feeing a bit insulted.

A slightly different situation for us but we first saw a psychiatrist who works at a NHS children’s hospital who then referred us to a CBT specialist. Don’t know where you are but happy to DM you with details.

Luckymummytoone · 19/07/2025 23:52

Glad you’re home safe. Must have been such a shock.
Your hospital should have a health psychology dept if no psychologist in his diabetes team? He wanted to engage obv as read your update. I wonder if there are any online support resources he could look at? Young minds, kooth and maybe explore if there is a diabetes focused one? Sending love x

Sickoffamilydrama · 19/07/2025 23:56

Hopefully you'll get some help and he'll get pay this phase.

I'd agree that it's normal for teenagers to do this but the difference is the diabetes. It's also normal for teens with type 1 to self sabotage for a while problem is it can have life long consequences or in extreme cases cause death ( I know of a 19 year old who died as a result of drinking).

They are some MH support that does gaming (as in computer games) while counselling can't remember it's name but found it useful with teens.

JFDIYOLO · 19/07/2025 23:57

Does he actually know you can't drink vodka in pints as if it were beer?

All the best to you all. Hopefully you can get him some psychiatric help.

Questionsquestions23 · 19/07/2025 23:59

are you on Facebook? Please join “parents of type 1 uni students and young people’ it’s a uk group and an absolute life saver.

SquishedMallow · 20/07/2025 00:08

OurBeautifulBaby · 19/07/2025 22:13

Don’t be ridiculous he’s being a teenager.

Show quote history

I agree. Bloody pathologising everything. I hate this decade for that 🙄

He doesn't need a fricking psychologist - SS will offer nothing of any use whatsoever. Bar let your names sit on a nice little sterile "naughty list" and do some tick box referrals.

He's 14. He's got pissed. When people are pissed they get all emotional and throw a pity party (been there !) it's the drink talking.

If he's managed with his diabetes for this long, he hasn't suddenly got all depressed about it-that ironically coincides with downing vodka. Sounds like this is a one off ?

Diabetes (type 1) absolutely sucks for young people. It's a shit for them. But the insulin he takes saves his life and when he's an adult he'll become grounded again and accept that. He needs a reality check (delivered with facts but sympathy and kindness) he can't not be type 1 diabetic. That one's not going to happen. He has to accept it, because there's no choice. Poorly controlled diabetes shortens lives and ends up in adverse complications that can become irreversible. Your dear poor son is a teen not a little kid and he needs the short sharp shock of "I know it's shit my darling. But it's happening..."

Sitting him in front of naval gazing NHS prescribed psychologists will do nothing but encourage him to wallow and feel further sorry for himself. He can't afford to do that. This is his life at stake.

Well wishes to you all.

MabelMaud · 20/07/2025 00:11

You must have been terrified. I think the hospital are right and SS wouldn’t be able to do much if he’s Gillick competent, but I would push for a specialist dietitian to kindly explain the risks. It’s very unfair that he has T1 at such a young age and he probably doesn’t want a physical condition to be associated with mental health. Perhaps he’ll be more open to mental health support when he’s a bit older. I’ve seen several 14 year olds through a day at school with vodka/whiskey hangovers. Sending best wishes.

Muddiestboots · 20/07/2025 00:13

Does he know other teens with diabeties? Does the hospital have a teens group?

In my DDs wider friendship groups it's normal to have devices and not uncommon. I understand teens not wanting to stand out and wonder if part of it is understand that he doesn't and lots of other teens are the sane.

Thingyfanding · 20/07/2025 00:15

My heart goes out to you. Will say a prayer for the situation to improve.