DEAR DEIDRE: SINCE my son was arrested for allegedly raping his ex-girlfriend, I have been drinking every night to blot out my pain and anxiety.
He is out on bail but I am devastated and I worry about him from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep.
My son is 23 and I’m his 48-year-old dad. He split up with his girlfriend, 21, three months ago.
He said it was amicable, as they had grown apart. She didn’t see it that way.
She has taken her revenge by accusing him of sexual assault, which he completely denies.
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I am managing to go to work and act normally, but inside I am broken.
My wife thinks I’m overreacting and tells me everything will work out because our son is innocent.
And the close friends I have confided in have told me I need to stop overthinking.
Next week, I have an appointment to see my doctor but I’m unsure whether to ask for medication.
I’m downing almost a bottle of wine a night.
I know I need to be strong and be there for my family.
DEIDRE SAYS: Being falsely accused of a sex crime has a devastating impact not only on a young man but also more widely, on his family.
Contact the False Allegations Support Organisation (false-allegations.org.uk, 0844 335 1992) for help.
Tell your GP you are drinking too much and look at drinkaware.co.uk (020 7766 9900).
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