My Son Sabotaged Himself to Force Himself to Detox

Today is day 3 of my son's plan that he's had for weeks to sabotage himself by running out of money for alcohol. As all alcoholics know, day 3 is the hardest. He's now living in his car in my parking lot and has been ever since I got a three-year restraining order to keep him out of my house.

I stopped by his car and asked if he wanted to go to Starbucks with me. He said no, that he was going to be sick and miserable as hell, and that he'd rather have a bagel and cream cheese from the donut shop across the street.

I brought it back for him and saw that he had a large water bottle, but that it wasn't one of the three I'd gotten him yesterday. His CARE Team from DMH had brought it to him along with some Liquid IV.

At lunch time I checked on my son again, told him I was gong to go back to the donut shop for a croissant sandwich, and asked him if he wanted one. At first he said no, that he was too nauseous. Then he decided some bread might help. Then he ended up asking for a ham croissant sandwich with jalapenos.

I brought it back for him and once again refused to buy him a "dripper" for his car battery that would drip a little occasional juice so his car wouldn't keep dying every week from not having been driven (the front right corner has been spit open like a can and the driver's side air bag has been deployed).

Hoping day 4 will be a little easier on him, and I know it's critical that a person going through withdrawals gets good nutrition to heal themselves. It's all I can do for my son right now. When he puts in effort, I put in effort.