My worst ever was at the beginning of August. It was a Monday, my son was with me. I took a vacation day off work. I'd been drinking since the AM. By the time I picked him up from school I was pretty buzzed. :upset: Anyway, long story short, I fell asleep without feeding my son a decent dinner. I awoke to a banging on the door, my ex had finally called the cops on me. I was coherent but pretty well buzzed. They would not stop knocking. I ignored them on advice from my cop brother who stated they did not have probable cause to kick the door in. At some point later, I ventured into the garage. I was surprised to find the garage open, and several upset deputies whom immediately started screaming at me. I attempted to re-enter my kitchen door (from the garage), and was basically tackled, recieving a contusion and big scrape on my arm. I explained to them that I was not breaking any laws by drinking in my own home. I was not charged with any crime, but they were so irate that I had tried to go back inside that I was handcuffed. Unfortunately, the tackling I recieved required an ambulance ride to the hospital, leaving in handcuffs.
I got to the hospital shortly later, and was upset with everyone there as I explained that I had no medical insurance and did not wish to be treated. Since I had physical trama, and attempted to walk off more than once, they put me in restraints. What an AWEFUL feeling that was. The made me take a catscan, and eventually sent me out the front door at 1am. I was in my socks, and 5 miles from home without my wallet. So I called a taxi, HOPING that I would be able to find my wallet when I actually got home. The next morning I realize what a total jackass I must have looked like to then entire neighborhood, and all the nosey calls start occuring.
Long story short, my ex wife was able to use the police report to get a restraining order against me AND my kids, stating that I would not be able to see them for 40 days. She later that week met with me and advised me that she would not serve me but this is my LAST CHANCE. At that point she told me some things the kids had told her, which totally blindsided me. All this time she'd known about my drinking.
Two weeks later I got the bills. $6,000 for the brief ER stay, $900 for the ambulance, $100 for the catscan. I have good credit, and need it! So blowing off the debt is not an option.
I contacted a couple of lawyers, considering suing the sheriffs since I was not charged with a crime, and was told basically that the dollar amount was not enough, and my injuries not permant, and I'd have a hard time winning.
Here's the good that's come out of it. I have been motived to stay sober MOST of August. I did have some slips. I contacted the hospital and through financial aid got the hospital debt reduced to $1700. So my drinking party that day cost me almost $3,000 and almost cost me my custody. A night I will never forget.
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