Brothers Cocaine addiction

[dianthusgirl]

My brother, 47, has been battling a cocaine addiction for the past 25 years.  In and out of rehabs, lost countless cars, unable to hold down a job for very long, no home of his own, stolen from family and friends, landed in the er, etc.  It is absolutely killing my parents.  My mom says it's like watching your child drown.  They both have been very good to him in both the up and down times of his life.  They let him live at their home in between sobriety and binges, and my Dad recently sold him a small truck.  His latest binge was when my parents were on vacation.  He was at my sisters home for one night while they were gone to let her dogs out.  When she returned, her coin jar, an 18 pack of beer, and birthday checks were missing.  Who knows what was missing at my parents house-for sure a small tv.  Before my parents came home, he checked into rehab, which I feel he did for sympathy from my folks.  My mother has said that his addiction is no different than cancer or any other disease.  It's my opinion that cancer doesn't make you lie and steal. I think they are enabling him.  By the way-I live about 1500 miles away, and most of the time I am shunned from his antics. Can someone offer me an opinion on this? Please!

[gizzy32]

Sometimes rock bottom is not enough. I was addicted to coke for just over 5 years and went from having an amazing life, to living only for this drug. Your bro is ill, but i will not make one damn excuse for him, there is help out there, but unfortunately, we as addicts have to want that help and want to get clean.

I am so sorry your going through this, addiction also affects families of the addict and that is just not fair. I put my parents through a lot, i mean they had to show up at the hospital after my overdose to see if i was alive. How selfish of me:( The best place for your bro is in that rehab right now and I hope for once something clicks and he will stop using. How long is he in rehab for, this man NEEDS long term, not some 30 day quick stop.

[nikole65]

Hi sorry u are and ur family are going through this addiction is horrible it doesn't choose it happens to the best of us,I had a decent home life did awesome in school and was well knwn in my area then I got introduced to vicodin it happen so fast I have dabbled in alchol and cocaine but I didn't like how I felt so then here comes the downers I never messed with herion but it's all the same in my book it's a sickness and if I could give any advice is to be there for him and ur family that's what us addicts need my family rite now is medhelp because noone knws about my addiction we do not judge we r here to help and by god has this site helped me.o yea by the way I have lied and stole to get my fix it's horrible but that is part of the disease my thoughts an prayers r with u and ur family keep posting it helps hugsss