The Night My Son Almost Died From Drinking

A Story About Faith Led By Hope

I am not sure where to start this “Anniversary” story. One year ago today I received a horrific phone call from my son’s partner. My son was spiraling out of control. For months without me realizing it. He had turned 21 four months prior, if I saw him drinking profusely I just knocked it up to “ That’s what kids do at this age.” He didn’t like to go out and drink, I was never concerned about him drinking and driving. When the scared girl on the other line confessed she didn’t know where else to turn so she called me, I knew it was bad.

I asked her to go over to my friend’s house and wait for me to get there, I was at least an hour away. I raced down the freeway, exceeding the speed limit but honestly, I don’t remember how I got there. I got there fast. I stopped at my friend’s house to ask for more details. What was I going to encounter? She simply said it was “Bad”. My friend reassured her that I could fix it. My son always listens to me.

Driving over to my son’s home and parking, I felt confident. I was sure that things wouldn’t be bad. Not that bad. I then walked in. It was worse than “bad”. My son was out of it. Completely out of his mind. He didn’t recognize me. Asking me who I was and why I was there. He grew terrified and then angry. Then confused.

Carpet stained from empty bottles that littered the floor. It went from Bad to “Badder”. I can say that it was one of the scariest, most upsetting nights of my life. After hours of trying to talk with him, I finally realized he was too far gone to rationalize with. I left him. One of the worst scenes I had lived through, seeing him like this and leaving. My heart broke into pieces.

I returned to my friend’s house where they both looked at me with hopeful eyes. I broke down, weeping, and apologized. I felt defeated. I could NOT fix the situation. I thought he might die. He might not make it through the night either by alcohol poisoning or taking his own life. I did not sleep. His girlfriend went home to him to discover him passed out. He woke early the next morning in rage. He wanted more alcohol. He was still drunk. She was smart and hid it. He passed out again.

… Mid afternoon I received a call. It was him, my son. My sober, sobbing, scared son. He couldn’t stop crying and begging for forgiveness. I forgave him. It’s what a mom with unconditional love does. I was relieved he was alive. We talked for hours. He spoke about his drinking. He confessed it was out of control. He needed help but not professional help. He wanted MY help.

Step one, he needed to speak with his girlfriend’s parents. He was living on their property with their only daughter. They knew after the hellish night the demons he was battling. They wanted him gone. I coached him to write down a game plan to give them. How he was going to get sober. How would he prove to them and win back their respect? He told me he was terrified. I told him that he would grow intensely from this. No matter the outcome. He walked over to their home and sat down with them. It took her dad minutes to hug him and tell him he was on his side. Her mom was not so sure. It took days for her to answer him. To let him know if he would be kicked off the property and homeless. She decided to give him another chance.

… 10 days. This is how long it took for the alcohol to exit his body entirely. I was afraid he would die from detox but he refused to go to the hospital. He wanted to remember how it felt so he never would pick up a bottle again. The shakes, fevers, urinating blood, HALLUCINATIONS! The pain. The symptoms consumed his body in waves. I kept him on FaceTime even when I was at work. Like a security camera, I needed to keep my eyes on him. Slowly the color came back to his face, he started smiling.

…. One whole year later. 365 days from that horrific night. The night I came face to face with the devil.

My son… SOBER! He is a much different man now. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He drinks of choice now, water.

His birthday this summer his friends surprised him with a cake and iced tea! His friends support him. He was thin and frail in November of 2022 He is now strong, working out and walking daily. He laughs… all the time. Doesn’t upset easily anymore. He is patient. He is a great listener and observes behavior. He dives in deep with feelings, thoughts, and emotions. He visits a couple of times a week and stays for hours talking about the world around us.

This isn’t just an “Anniversary” story… This is a story of overcoming and THRIVING. A story of a new beginning.

This momma’s heart is full!