Is my brother on drugs?

[kevycaz]

Hi there, my older brother (52) has not been well for some time now (maybe 10-15yrs from what I am 'aware').

When he was initially ill (after having a break-down) he was admitted to the Priory, the counsellors there said he was an alcoholic. Although he does not drink excessively in public, I know he is not a recovering alcoholic. I also know he suffers from depression and has lots of medication.

Over the years he has tried to take his own live, usually via an overdose. Just last year alone (2010) he has made several attempts to end his own life.

Over the past couple of years in particular, his physical and mental state, look to have gotten even worse; at least that’s how it looks to me, to my family (mum and sister) it doesn’t seem that obvious!

Last Christmas was just about the worst I had ever seen him. I was staying at my mums house with my family, and my brother was sleeping there also (he was down stairs on the couch). In the middle of the night I heard really strange noises, whistles, tweets, grunts, and some distinguishable words/phrases, also, they seemed to be repeated in sort of a ‘cycle’. I listened from the top of the stairs to see what it was (for fear of it being an intruder), it turned out to be my brother. I listened in total astonishment and really feared for my family. I went down stairs to see if he was ok, and when he stood up, his posture was ‘hunched’, almost as though he had paralysis down one side of his body. I think the most bizarre thing was that he didn’t know how horrified I was. As far as he was concerned we where having a normal conversation; even though he didn’t seem to be in control of himself, making random noises/comments and even gestures (nodding his head and kicking his legs etc). As a result me and my family left the house in the middle of the night to stay with another family member. My brother apologised when I seen him a few days later but from that night onward I have started to suspect he may either have a some sort of a mental illness or have a drug problem.

Only a few months ago I had had just about enough of his behaviour, when he would visit he would frequently go to his car (parked outside) and then back to the house again for no apparent reason. In general he would appear ‘hyperactive’. I have two small children and my brother would find it difficult to interact with them in a ‘non-manic’ way, really over boisterous. He is not an ‘intentional’ danger to them, but at the same time he always appears distracted, so I would NEVER have the confidence to leave him with the children unattended for fear of an accident (there have been several close shaves in the past, even when I have been in the same room as him).

Also, my mum tries to spend more time with him than me, but when he is with her he just stays in the bedroom on his own smoking or sleeping.  

Right now he is really ill in hospital, at one point the doctors said he may not make it through the night. He’s just been diagnosed with ‘Chronic Kidney Disease’ and has an issue with his heart (they said only 50% of it is working). I had the chance to see my brother in hospital briefly (Boxing Day) when he was conscious, he said he did not take anything this time (even though I didn’t ask), but the doctors said the blood test’s revealed excessive high amounts of morphine and another chemical (can’t remember what that is at the moment – something with ‘zeene’ in the title).

Even though my brother is still in a critical condition he is now conscious and breathing un-aided, and although he does have some fundamental health issues that are to be addressed, at least he is alive.

If my brother pulls through this latest episode, I really don’t think he will have too many more near-misses. I am sure this has to be one of his last (if not last) opportunity. In the past I have always wanted to help, but you simply can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help themselves. Also, I have a young family to consider and I have to show some selfishness for their sake.

I am not an expert and I have no physical evidence, but I think my brother’s biggest problem could be drugs. Drugs never get mentioned around my brother because he has his other issues such as Alcoholism and depression, so any issues are automatically attributed to these two problems that we know about. But the more I think about it, I am sure that his biggest problem could be drugs. If/when he regains strength I would like to confront him with it.

This brings me to the area I need some advice in.  If anyone has the time to read my post and they themselves have experience or knowledge of drugs, the effects and symptoms etc could them please give me some advice. From your experience, do you think I could be right? I think if this was the case them maybe we as a family could tackle it head on and at least try to get my brother the help he actually needs and not just put it down to alcohol or depression (medication).

Sorry for the long post. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. Note I have been reading other posts regarding family members who are addicted to drugs, can I just say that my thoughts are with them. Regards.

[dominosarah]

It sounds like your brother has underlying issues and the drugs have compounded this.  I would talk with the doctors and tell them some of the behavior you have witnessed.  Hopefully between your family and the doctors some sort of treatment plan can be found for him.  Thank god he is breathing on his own now.   I know this is very hard on you so educate yourself all you can on depression and addiction.  Those 2 go hand in hand.  Take care of yourself during this and please let us know how it is going~~~sara

[Jaybay]

Obviously your brother has a drug problem if the hospital found morphine and what sounds like a benzodiazapine (xanax, valium, klonopin, etc.) in his blood.  Don't get stuck in the mindset that just getting him detoxed will "fix" him.  That's only the first step and abusing drugs is only a symptom of bigger problems.

While he's still in the hospital, ask for a psych consult and make sure you actually get a chance to talk to the shrink and describe what you've seen.  Your brother obviously can't manage his medications on an outpatient basis and that's something the doctors MUST know.  Write a letter and have the nurses put it in his chart to make sure everyone sees it.  I don't know how NHS works where these things are concerned, but know you're probably going to have to move heaven and earth to get your brother into inpatient treatment.  Document everything!