I need help for my brother anyone please?

My brother has been taking opanas for 3 years now. His dr. prescribed them for degenerative disk disease and he has been abusing them for a while. He snorts his script and they are gone within 10 days. he has been buying other meds to get him through to his refill and at midnight runs to the pharmacy to pick thrm up. Our family business shut down in November and now he has no money to buy them. He has been taking out of his families bill money. He hasn't given my sis in-law any of his paycheck in over a year. She finally approached him a week ago and he said yes he has a problem but NO REHAB! Please any advice for us?

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

I don't know much of what you can do. It doesn't sound like your brother wants to get clean and if his wife is enabling him, then what else is there. You can't force someone to get clean. He has to do WHATEVER it takes to get clean and the word "no" should not be in his vocabulary.

At the very least you may talk to him about getting honest with his doctor. That will cut off his supply from him. Then it is a matter of cutting off the street supply..I don't know how you will do that. That is something HE will need to do. He needs to admit that he has a problem, ask for help and realize he can't do it alone.

I know it is hard and I also know you feel helpless. I have to suggest that you do as much reading about the disease of addiction as you can. Be educated when you speak with him. If you haven't already, sit with him and talk to him. Do not approach him with anger, do not yell, simply relate how it is effecting you and let him know that you will be there to help him anyway you can. Do you think this is something you can do?

[LeaAnn807]

The thing is that until he wants to stop, there is no rehab in the world that can help him.  I tried it a few times.  Didn't work!!  Once I decided to do it, I didn't need rehab.  As tough as it is, you have to give out some tough love.  Don't be willing to help him.  If there is no money, eventually there will be no pills!

I'm so sorry for your family!

[LeaAnn807]

I meant....don't be willing to help him with money!  Thought I better clarify!

[kellie67]

I agree that she is enabling him. she wants to take him to the lake house bout an hour away and talk to him wants me to keep their daughter for the week? I don't understand what she's trying to do. I told her that untill he sees he has a problem she's wasting her time and to quit making things so easy for him. I extremely aggrivated. Thanks!