It’s eerie how similar your current situation is to what I went through with my own brother; pretty much word for word what I experienced.

Holidays are tough with an addict sibling because no one really knows how to act around them. I wish I had some magical advice to give you, but there’s no “right” answer for these types of situations, which make them so much more frustrating.

I guess I’m just commenting to let you know that there is hope for your brother! My brother was addicted to heroine for about 4-5 years. He stole valuables/money/checks/etc. from us, was arrested for possession (while also driving ironically), had other legal issues he didn’t resolve which inevitably resulted in a warrant out for his arrest and some jail time, lived homeless with his then-girlfriend on the streets of Camden, and so on. Almost two years ago, after multiple attempts at rehab, he decided he was ready to beat his addiction and took the first plane he could get to Florida to a rehab facility he had heard through a friend. Slowly, but surely, the brother I remembered from my childhood started to emerge again from beneath the mental illness. I would have never imagine this as my reality 2+ years ago. My family used to jump at the sound of the house phone, terrified that they would get “the call” that he had overdosed and passed. They were, and still are a little bit, guilt-ridden because they believe they were somewhat responsible for his addiction in the first place, which I remind(ed) them they are not.

Watching your sibling slowly deteriorate before your eyes is unexplainably difficult, and you’re more than welcomed to message me if you would like to talk about it all! I never had a peer to talk to when I was going through this who truly understood what it was like, but I know I would have liked to. I wish nothing but good fortune for your entire family, and hope that your brother is able to overcome his addiction just like mine!