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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DS16 came home drunk at 5am

344 replies

Worriedsick89 · 22/07/2025 16:32

Sorry this is a ramble and probably makes no sense but I’ve had no sleep and I’m honestly shaken up. Just don’t know what to do anymore. Posting for traffic.

DS is 16. Went out last night around 8pm, said he was going to play football with a couple mates down the park. He doesn’t go out loads so I thought ok fine, bit of fresh air. Said he’d be back by 10ish.

By 11 I’m calling him – nothing. Texted – ignored. Called again about 12:30 – phone off. Kept checking out the front window like a mad woman. DP’s working away til the end of the week and he’s not even DS’s dad anyway, they don’t get on at all, DS won’t even be in the same room as him half the time. So I was on my own stressing all night. He doesn't live with us anyway.

I was this close to ringing 101 around 4:30am. Then just after 5 the front door opened and he staggered in.

He was out of it. I’ve never seen him like that. Completely gone – slurring, eyes weird, laughing at nothing, barely able to walk. He reeked of vodka and something else I couldn’t even place. Couldn’t focus on anything I was saying. He just kept going “I’m fine” then nearly falling over. I had to practically drag him upstairs, he could barely get his shoes off.

He’s been in bed all day. It’s nearly 5pm now. He’s got up a few times to throw up, looks pale as anything, sweaty, shaky, not really with it. He keeps saying he’s ok but he’s not. Not like any hangover I’ve ever seen.

As far as I know he’s never taken drugs before. Might’ve had a few drinks here and there but he’s never come home like this.

Bit of background – he’s been difficult for a long time. Got booted out of school in year 10 after refusing to go in for weeks. Was meant to do home ed but that was a total waste of time, he just refused point blank. Tried him at one of those 14+ colleges that takes early leavers, thought maybe something more hands-on would help – lasted about 3 or 4 weeks then got kicked out again for not turning up and mouthing off.

Now he’s at home 24/7. Sleeps all day, up all night online. He’s obsessed with his phone, I’ve caught him watching proper nasty porn – not just normal stuff, like violent. I blocked the adult stuff on the WiFi and he exploded. Screaming at me, throwing stuff, called me a perv, smashed his controller. Didn’t speak to me properly for days. But he found a way round it anyway, hotspotting off his phone. I just can’t keep up.

He’s angry all the time. Slams doors, shouts in my face, gets right up close like he wants to intimidate me. Punched a hole in his wardrobe.

Doesn’t have any real friends anymore, just people on Snapchat and Discord. Always hiding his phone, I don’t know who half of them are. Sleeps odd hours, eats junk, and just sort of floats through the days.

I’ve tried getting help – rang the GP last year, but he refused to go in. Tried CAMHS, he told them to piss off on the phone and hung up. Youth support won’t deal with him unless he asks for it, and he just won’t.

I’m properly starting to worry about his mental health. There’s been signs for a while but no one wants to listen unless he’s the one asking for help, and he won’t.

But this morning… this was something else. I’ve never seen him like that. He looked… like someone I didn’t know. And now today he’s still sick, still not with it. I’m honestly scared.

Would IBU to try take him to A&E?? I don’t even know if they’d do anything. And he’ll probably go mad if I try and drag him there. But what if I don’t and it gets worse?

OP posts:
tripleginandtonic · 22/07/2025 18:45

While he's sick I'd push the engaging with people who can help him again.

castleclass · 22/07/2025 18:46

I hope he is ok and you have got medical attention for him. Once this has passed I think you need to seriously consider your choice to make your son live with a man he doesn’t get on with and can’t bear to be in the same room as - it’s likely the cause of his problems over the past while. I’m not saying that to be mean to you btw, it’s very easy on the outside to see things that you don’t when you are living it.

LookingAtMyBhunas · 22/07/2025 18:51

Has he got any better OP?

Cheepcheepcheep · 22/07/2025 18:55

If you’re genuinely worried about him being a target for county lines OP I would reach out to the NSPCC: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/county-lines#article-top

If you look at the tabs they suggest getting in touch with children’s services locally, but can offer advice based on where you are living.

Protecting children from county lines | NSPCC Learning

Provides information on how adults working or volunteering with children can recognise, respond to and protect children from county lines.

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/county-lines#article-top

Cheepcheepcheep · 22/07/2025 18:56

castleclass · 22/07/2025 18:46

I hope he is ok and you have got medical attention for him. Once this has passed I think you need to seriously consider your choice to make your son live with a man he doesn’t get on with and can’t bear to be in the same room as - it’s likely the cause of his problems over the past while. I’m not saying that to be mean to you btw, it’s very easy on the outside to see things that you don’t when you are living it.

OP’s partner doesn’t live with them, it’s in the OP.

Forestwanderer · 22/07/2025 18:56

castleclass · 22/07/2025 18:46

I hope he is ok and you have got medical attention for him. Once this has passed I think you need to seriously consider your choice to make your son live with a man he doesn’t get on with and can’t bear to be in the same room as - it’s likely the cause of his problems over the past while. I’m not saying that to be mean to you btw, it’s very easy on the outside to see things that you don’t when you are living it.

OP states at the end of the third paragraph in her main post, that the man does NOT live with them

Cheepcheepcheep · 22/07/2025 18:58

tripleginandtonic · 22/07/2025 18:45

While he's sick I'd push the engaging with people who can help him again.

Also this. I reckon he’ll be regretful and contrite tomorrow and now is the time to act.

Buzyizzy217 · 22/07/2025 19:01

Not where I’ve not been able to keep water down 12 hrs later! I’d definitely be ringing 111 and getting advice. This is not normal and it’s possible he’s mixed drink and drugs, possibly crack. Are his eyes focussing? If he can’t keep water down and he’s sweating, he’s in trouble. Please get him medical help, even if he is a barsteward.

Maddy70 · 22/07/2025 19:02

Make sure he has plenty of fluids
Phone/ internet access taken away from him
Grounded for two weeks
Stick to it!

NerrSnerr · 22/07/2025 19:04

JLou08 · 22/07/2025 18:26

Unpopular opinion but I would take him to A&E, he will probably be given a MH assessment in there and be referred for some support. Something needs to be done. It's absolutely shocking that no services are helping.

They won’t give him a mh assessment unless he’s having an acute mental health episode and it appears he is not, he is hungover. I agree he probably needs mental health support but not via a&e. Best they’ll do is refer him to the CMHT.

FastForward2 · 22/07/2025 19:09

If he will let you, I would be getting medical help, i.e. call 111 and/or go to A and E, I think your instincts as his mother are correct. He is in crisis and needs help mentally and physically, he could be seriously ill.

A + E/111 will either treat it as an emergency if it is, or make him wait. Either way it will hopefully help him to learn not to do this again, and that he is worth looking after.

He is sick both mentally and physically. This is too much for you to handle on your own, you will get professional help from NHS, that is what they are there for. Ignore the judgements, alcohol is dangerous and he is in a bad place.

Lanzarotelady · 22/07/2025 19:16

Most of you are all talking like you have never had a bloody hangover! Getting help, 111, A&E, etc!
It is a hangover, he is tired and hungover!

JLou08 · 22/07/2025 19:18

Hhyjmhyu · 22/07/2025 18:43

He doesn't need "support", he needs a kick up the backside. No service can help anyone that won't help themself.

They can work with his mum for her to implement things at home that will help. They can also keep doing visits to build up a relationship and then start intervention. If you get a professional that actually cares, this can be done and can be effective. I have worked like this myself as a social worker.

Ketzele · 22/07/2025 19:39

I think many posters have no idea of what life can be like with a very troubled teenager. Taking away his phone is not going to fix this.

OP, I think you should ring 111 and talk to them about whether this is a bad hangover or alcohol poisoning. It would at least be useful to know what to watch out for.

And then keep trying to get help - maybe the local authority's family support team? - because your son does seem to be in a bad place.

randomlemonsheep · 22/07/2025 19:39

Buzyizzy217 · 22/07/2025 19:01

Not where I’ve not been able to keep water down 12 hrs later! I’d definitely be ringing 111 and getting advice. This is not normal and it’s possible he’s mixed drink and drugs, possibly crack. Are his eyes focussing? If he can’t keep water down and he’s sweating, he’s in trouble. Please get him medical help, even if he is a barsteward.

Most people barely stop throwing up by late afternoon after a very heavy night.

Frankly I prefer that to the ones obviously still drunk but who pretend they are fit to drive in the morning or a few hours later.

It's not "not normal" 12 hours later, he's probably still drunk, not even in the hungover stage yet 😂

Worriedsick89 · 22/07/2025 20:36

I know a lot of you think I’ve failed as a parent and maybe I have, I don’t know. It’s not like I haven’t tried though. You’re only seeing the tip of it on here.

Just to answer a couple of things - he actually used to love football. He played on a local team up until lockdown. Then after that he moved to his dad’s for a while. He never really went back to it after that. He doesn’t go out much at all now - last night was honestly the first time in ages. Most of the time he’s shut up in his room.

Update - we ended up at A&E. I phoned 111 and they said he needed to be seen. I was shaking. Had to help him get dressed, he could barely stand straight and kept shouting at me, saying I was ruining his life, that he was going to tell the hospital I’d hit him (I never have - never would) and that I was trying to “lock him up”. He said he was fine but when we got there he just sat in the waiting room with his hood up, head down, barely talking.

They checked him over - his heart rate’s a bit high and he’s still being sick. He’s barely said a word to the staff. Still swearing blind he hasn’t taken anything. They offered him a blood test to see what was in his system and he flat out refused, told them to leave him alone and not touch him. Then he disappeared to the loo for ages - no idea what he was doing in there and they weren’t allowed to follow him in obviously.

Right now he’s in a side room. They keep coming to check on him every so often. They’ve mentioned giving him some fluids or maybe something to stop the vomiting if he won’t tolerate anything orally, but he’s not being cooperative. Still curled up, still pale, won’t talk properly to anyone.

Will update again when I know more.

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 22/07/2025 20:41

@Worriedsick89 thank you for the update. I wonder if he's refusing a blood test in case it shows up what he's taken?? Sending you the biggest of hugs x

Liliwen · 22/07/2025 20:45

OP this sounds so stressful. You’ve done the right thing taking him in.

VintageDiamondGirl · 22/07/2025 20:46

Worriedsick89 · 22/07/2025 20:36

I know a lot of you think I’ve failed as a parent and maybe I have, I don’t know. It’s not like I haven’t tried though. You’re only seeing the tip of it on here.

Just to answer a couple of things - he actually used to love football. He played on a local team up until lockdown. Then after that he moved to his dad’s for a while. He never really went back to it after that. He doesn’t go out much at all now - last night was honestly the first time in ages. Most of the time he’s shut up in his room.

Update - we ended up at A&E. I phoned 111 and they said he needed to be seen. I was shaking. Had to help him get dressed, he could barely stand straight and kept shouting at me, saying I was ruining his life, that he was going to tell the hospital I’d hit him (I never have - never would) and that I was trying to “lock him up”. He said he was fine but when we got there he just sat in the waiting room with his hood up, head down, barely talking.

They checked him over - his heart rate’s a bit high and he’s still being sick. He’s barely said a word to the staff. Still swearing blind he hasn’t taken anything. They offered him a blood test to see what was in his system and he flat out refused, told them to leave him alone and not touch him. Then he disappeared to the loo for ages - no idea what he was doing in there and they weren’t allowed to follow him in obviously.

Right now he’s in a side room. They keep coming to check on him every so often. They’ve mentioned giving him some fluids or maybe something to stop the vomiting if he won’t tolerate anything orally, but he’s not being cooperative. Still curled up, still pale, won’t talk properly to anyone.

Will update again when I know more.

Glad to read that you took him in, OP.

All the best.

VintageDiamondGirl · 22/07/2025 20:51

Lanzarotelady · 22/07/2025 19:16

Most of you are all talking like you have never had a bloody hangover! Getting help, 111, A&E, etc!
It is a hangover, he is tired and hungover!

He so obviously needed to be assessed. Very glad OP disregarded dangerous advice like this.

CalicoPusscat · 22/07/2025 20:52

Best to you both @Worriedsick89 💖

Hope he recovers soon and doesn't get into this state again.

RedSeven · 22/07/2025 20:53

Buzyizzy217 · 22/07/2025 19:01

Not where I’ve not been able to keep water down 12 hrs later! I’d definitely be ringing 111 and getting advice. This is not normal and it’s possible he’s mixed drink and drugs, possibly crack. Are his eyes focussing? If he can’t keep water down and he’s sweating, he’s in trouble. Please get him medical help, even if he is a barsteward.

But he got in at 5am!!!

people are being ridiculous. If he was drinking the night before and is still vomitting fine. Being sick in the afternoon from drinking until 5am is the same as drinking at 9pm and vomitting in the morning.

people are forgetting HE WAS DRINKING TIL 5am

user1476613140 · 22/07/2025 20:53

Sounds like he's possibly taken magic mushrooms.

Geesgirl · 22/07/2025 20:54

My just 18 year announced she's pregnant yesterday.

Wish I was you.

CalicoPusscat · 22/07/2025 20:57

@RedSeven she's a worried mum and they're already at the hospital. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and he learns from it.