@Rachael171 I am so sorry.
I had once hosted a guest who was a recovering alcoholic but relapsed during the start of his stay at my place. Addiction is a serious illness and he needed help but he just was not ready for it. Both during the first and second nights of his 8 day stay he called me at 23PM as I for then worked into the night and from home (international buyer) had to real issue with this at first. He called to say that he was lost and can't remember the address and "did not have a smart phone", at this time I do not answer but he called about 5 times so just answered, by then he got back to the apartment fine. The next day he calls around 7AM to say that he cannot get out as the door lock is not working (pull handle down, keep in this position and pull door). We rushed there thinking something was wrong and he was waiting sat on the staircase huffing and puffing, shots his arms in air when he sees us almost in a WTF manner... we literally showed him there how to lock and unlock the door but he apologised so it was okayish- but we wrote to Airbnb to mark this incident.
The second night he called again about 5 times asking to get help and given what we suspected, we went to look for him- literally drove around my area for 40 mins looking for him. We eventually got a message saying that a drunk man was sleeping on the staircase and his head was completely inclined backwards (if he vomitted in this position, it could have been serious). I am a trained first aider so have experience with all sorts of people in varying circumstances, and for when I got there he was there. With the help of some people I knew got him up and put him to bed, sleeping in the recovery position, a bottle of water next to him and a bucket if he is sick.
I let him have it the next morning and I think AIRBNB did also but he managed to stay the remainder of his stay and cause no issues to anyone. A couple of days after check out his relative called me personally to check in on him and I told him what happened. Apparently, he went MIA for a few days after and it became a huge thing with AIRBNB getting involved- eventually he showed up but the damage was done.
He was my worst guest and honestly after him I really did not want to host again- I am a businessperson not a babysitter and AIRBNB's response was less than impressive. I quickly ameneded my rules to include consumption of alcohol and drugs (need to state the obvious for it to count), screened a lot more thoroughly (all guests) etc.
IMO most guests are lovely, some I genuinely wish I met them in my everyday and were friends. with but I sincerely try to not mix business and pleasure given other past experiences I have had- I prefer certain elements of my life to be one or the other but I suppose everyone is different. Something that got me through this is know what you want to achieve and plan to get it, adjust your tactic but not your goal but most importantly listen to your gut. I really do wish you well and stay safe. 🙂