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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:
Oneeyedonkey · 22/07/2025 20:57

VintageDiamondGirl · 22/07/2025 20:51

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

But what are they doing for him????
No anti emetics. No fluids.
Just a noisy emergency department.
Waste of resources.

Buzyizzy217 · 22/07/2025 20:59

I’m not divulging much here, but even at my very worst, I had never, ever been that bad. Thankfully I stopped altogether a very long time ago. Alcohol and drugs mixed can be an actual lethal combination. So glad the OP did the right thing. This could have had a very different outcome. A friend of mine lost her daughter after a party. The beautiful young lady stayed away for the night and never came back. It happens.

Miyagi99 · 22/07/2025 20:59

user1476613140 · 22/07/2025 20:53

Sounds like he's possibly taken magic mushrooms.

They wouldn’t make you sick.

Miyagi99 · 22/07/2025 21:00

Oneeyedonkey · 22/07/2025 20:57

But what are they doing for him????
No anti emetics. No fluids.
Just a noisy emergency department.
Waste of resources.

Exactly, if he’s refusing fluid and tests he’d be better off at home having electrolytes from Home Bargains than taking up a bed!

user1476613140 · 22/07/2025 21:01

waterrat · 22/07/2025 18:19

Ignore the nasty comment about not mothering him well. These kind of comments come from people with no life experience of having difficult teenagers.

Children and young people are not all the same. If he has become addicted to porn (most mainstream porn is very violent by the way) - you need to do more than block it you need to talk to him and be very clear that he needs help.

When I was his age I was out a lot raving taking drugs and drinking and yes I got into this sort of state. Sounds like he has alcohol poisoning.

He probably doesn't need A and E but you could try if you are really worried. He needs rehydration sachets.

Look up a website called Shore - run by the Lucy Faithful Foundation OP for help with the porn.

Lovely helpful post for OP♥️

MaarvaCarassi · 22/07/2025 21:02

I’m glad he’s being looked after OP - I hope he starts to feel better soon.

I don’t think it’s particularly helpful for people to be having a go at your parenting right now. Life happens, and it can be tough and things can go badly for a while.

Lots of luck to you both in future.

user1476613140 · 22/07/2025 21:05

Miyagi99 · 22/07/2025 20:59

They wouldn’t make you sick.

According to FRANK website it can.

Meltyourpopsicle · 22/07/2025 21:06

Ok when he is back to ‘normal’ ask him what he wants. Do not put any words in his mouth, or judge what he says. Just listen. No kid wants no direction or future. No kid wants to be stuck in the cycle of wake up, look at phone, back to sleep. He sounds depressed. Has his dad rejected him? Is there any way he could feel that he doesn’t have a place in this world as you have your new partner and things didnt work out with dad? Not making you feel jealous, just trying to empathise with him.
Also does your local authority have a NEET team? They can do creative things such as look at mentorship’s, some of them work really well for boys who are a bit lost, there’s specialist teams for if they are involved with criminal activity or just vulnerable. Would be worth reaching out to get support. They will not put your son in foster care at 16!

TartanMammy · 22/07/2025 21:20

You haven't failed him. you obviously care a lot about him and are doing your best. Teenagers are absolutely sent to try us. I have no advice as such but my 14yr old has put me through the wringer recently too.
I was an absolutely horrific teen, I must have put my mum through hell so I guess this is payback but I've turned out okay. Lots of teens have rocky patch. You sound like a good mum. Keep going!

TicTac80 · 22/07/2025 21:25

You sound like a fab mum, and I'm pleased you took your DS to ED. I really hope that they can help him. Who knows, this might kick start some referrals. Wishing you all the best x

bluecurtains14 · 22/07/2025 21:26

Why are you living with a man that your son hates?

AmusedCat · 22/07/2025 21:27

I feel for you OP. I've been where you are. Posters saying he just needs a jolly good talking too, a hobby and being grounded are totally naive. I remember the fear of dealing with my 6ft son who had become unrecognisable to me. There's no amount of reasoning that can change this. I had a situation where my ds was out of control, drugs and alcohol were involved and I was on my own with him and two other children. We ended up in A&E and he absconded, Police brought him back hours later. He seemed to have the idea that once he reached 16 that he was the man of the house and relentlessly bullied me. I don't have any advice, everything I tried failed. The truth is,he got older and moved out but he didn't change because he didn't want to. This isn't down to you, something is in him that only he can deal with. He may do that and he may not.
I would say, protect yourself and have some boundaries that you won't compromise on.I don't mean him picking his dirty pants up. I mean, keep yourself safe and try and have a life for.yourself. This could consume you, it consumed me. Take care.

CalicoPusscat · 22/07/2025 21:29

One of my friends had her stomach pumped as a teen and never went overboard again, it does sound like he may have taken a combination of things if he's refusing blood tests and is so ill.

Hopefully you'll both be safely home soon.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 22/07/2025 21:31

I’d be really concerned about Disord , on the surface it’s a gaming platform however is a black website where children are being groomed and given access to illicit child sexual images.

I’d be blocking VPN and discord, although if he has a iPhone he can get around these by switching on Private Relay (this allows children to over ride their parents security controls)

Id also be searching his computer , if he has a porn addiction and the internet isn’t secure, simply I’d remove the internet from the home and he would pay for his own phone bill -no payment , no internet access.

As for his behaviour , I’d would stop enabling him, no money, cook his own food, wash his own clothes….

He would not be a bum in my home!

Cheeseplantandcrackers · 22/07/2025 21:35

Geesgirl · 22/07/2025 20:54

My just 18 year announced she's pregnant yesterday.

Wish I was you.

Congratulations? Are we competing?

WoahBambalam · 22/07/2025 21:35

waterrat · 22/07/2025 18:19

Ignore the nasty comment about not mothering him well. These kind of comments come from people with no life experience of having difficult teenagers.

Children and young people are not all the same. If he has become addicted to porn (most mainstream porn is very violent by the way) - you need to do more than block it you need to talk to him and be very clear that he needs help.

When I was his age I was out a lot raving taking drugs and drinking and yes I got into this sort of state. Sounds like he has alcohol poisoning.

He probably doesn't need A and E but you could try if you are really worried. He needs rehydration sachets.

Look up a website called Shore - run by the Lucy Faithful Foundation OP for help with the porn.

Hello - hope he's doing better now. I totally agree with the above poster.

I've got nearly two decades working in drug services for young people and delivering drug education including working at events and festivals.

It sounds like a one off? If it's not or you're worried about the alcohol and other drug side id recommend looking up books by Owen Boden Jones - how to speak to your kids about drugs.

Key things are - make it supportive, no accusations, do it when everyone is calm. On a drive or while playing pool or something is a good idea especially for young boys.

One of the main drugs young people take at the moment is ketamine. When mixed with alcohol it can make people vomit a lot, especially if you drink to the point of possible 'alcohol poisoning'. It also affects your balance and coordination and additionally can increase your heart-rate slightly. It is very cheap and accessible and a lot of young people take it as it wears off quite quickly and there is very little come down (generally unless you've been drinking loads of booze with it as well). It also affects awareness of time (which would explain the late late return home).

It does have a high risk of dependency as it is very effective in providing relief for symptoms of anxiety and depression (it's actually available as a mental health treatment) but when used recreationally carries various risks, particularly linked to chronic and heavy use. That doesn't sound like your son but good to be aware.

Not sharing to scare you but just to be aware it's a possibility. He sounds like he has a lot going on which does make him more vulnerable to using drugs and unfortunately drug-related exploitation - I'd look for a local drug service or youth service that are harm reduction focused. Ask the hospital if they have a referral pathway into one, some do.

Websites that are good for info on drugs : drugs and me, crew.scot, with you, the loop.

The key thing is to focus on connection and supportive boundaries rather than spiralling worry and punishment.

Good luck.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 22/07/2025 21:43

And not to worry you, I’d b concerned he’s met up with someone and they’ve taken advantage of him.

Discord is an evil site!

I say that as a ex Social Worker and in my current role as a specialist family support working with the local LA and HA.

I know it’s not what you want to hear atm, once Ds is over the worst, then I would be going full nuclear on his internet usage.

Missedthis · 22/07/2025 22:07

Hope he’s feeling better OP.

From an education perspective- he can’t be kicked out of education for non attendance (assuming you’re in the UK). If that has happened then the school have broken the law. Feel free to PM if you need some advice about this part of it (DSL in a secondary and the person responsible for doing permanent exclusions)

Justaspy · 22/07/2025 22:23

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Salome61 · 22/07/2025 22:37

Best wishes to your son for his recovery.

Endofyear · 22/07/2025 22:39

Well done lovely for getting him to a&e. Ignore the ignorant posters criticising your parenting, they have no idea! Having worked with young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties in a PRU, I know there are no easy answers. Just wanted to post and say that you sound like a very sensible, caring and loving mum and he is lucky to have you.

https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help
If you need some support, lots of advice and a helpline to call here.

Hope your son is feeling better soon 💐

How We Can Help | Family Lives

We provide a helpline, online advice via our website and an email, live chat and WhatsApp service for parenting and family life issues

https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help

DonnyBurrito · 22/07/2025 22:42

user1476613140 · 22/07/2025 21:05

According to FRANK website it can.

Mushrooms can make people nauseated while the psilocybin is changing into psilocin in their stomach, and people are often sick or just feel sick during the 'come up' due to that... And the effects typically last 4 - 6 hours. Totally worn off after 12.

He might be on some sort of come down or had a mixture of something that's caused a side effect, though. But it doesn't sound at all like shrooms.

There's a few tables that exist that shows how different drugs interact with each other. Google 'Leave the mixing to the DJ drug interaction chart', that's a pretty user friendly one. I would suggest to OP that she has a look at this and decide whether her son would benefit from this education.

DoraSpenlow · 22/07/2025 22:49

bluecurtains14 · 22/07/2025 21:26

Why are you living with a man that your son hates?

She isn't.

Liliwen · 22/07/2025 22:53

Geesgirl · 22/07/2025 20:54

My just 18 year announced she's pregnant yesterday.

Wish I was you.

Can no one post about stressful situations with their children because your 18 year old is pregnant then?

HotTiredDog · 22/07/2025 22:55

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