I have a long history of battling alcohol and drug addiction (although alcohol is what brought me to my knees). Treatment at 14, relapse, treatment at 19, relapse and then treatment at 30, relapse and again in 2011. So, my last relapse was 7 years long. I was an everyday liquor drinker, have been on antidepressants, seen therapist, psychologists for most of my life. At 47, I was living with my boyfriend of 22 years, (also an alcoholic, but more of a functional one), I had been put on a medication for opioid addiction and decided 11/5/17 that I was tired of being on that med. I had tapered myself down as much as I thought was ok to stop taking it. I stopped, cold turkey and I was really, really sick for weeks. The only thing that helped was the liquor. I ended up going to Florida, solo the week of December 7, 2017. I drank so much vodka, that I was drunk 24/7 that whole week. I had had enough treatment and A.A. that something inside me knew that I was going to die if I didn't stop. I just couldn't stop. I went to my primary care doctor and bless him, he medically detoxed me with valium and phenobarbital to prevent seizures. I went to A.A. on 12/16/17, picked up a 24 hour surrender chip and have not had a drink since. I went to meetings daily, sometimes twice a day and surrounded myself with other recovering people. I believe in a higher power of my understanding and know that power has also helped (it is within me). I found my boyfriend deceased in our house 12/18/23 from alcoholism. He could not stop and it killed him. I could not make him stop, although I tried my best. That is the most brutal experience and grief I have ever had. He just couldn't stop. The fact that I did not drink and have not had a drink during the last several years is a miracle. With the Long COVID, his death and other personal issues, I have not had to take a drink. I had to stop drinking for myself. I tried for my parents and others and it never worked. I had to make the decision that I wanted to change my life. There are other ways people get sober. Also, people do not have to stay drunk as long as I did. It takes what it takes. It is positive that you have a good relationship with your son. I do not know if he has been in an AA meeting or if he wants to get sober, but he has to want to not drink. I have to take things a day at a time. Today is a new day and I do not want to drink today. I can do that for one day and one day is all we have. I hope he decides to stop. I am assuming he is taking a benzodiazepine for anxiety? I see a therapist, for trauma, as well. Your son is young, however, I know many people that get sober young. I know a man who got sober at 19. He is now 56. A lot of people think AA is religious, but it is not. It is a spiritual program. Maybe get the book and for yourself, look at al-anon meetings or if not comfortable, look at their literature. You need to remain sane as well 🙂