Problems with my brother

[servicejunkie]

I just wanted to share with you some of the things that are going on in my life today. I have a brother who is three years older than me who is also an addict. Since I have been clean and in recovery myself, I have watched him come and go from the rooms and seen his disease progress. It has been a painful and difficult thing to deal with in my recovery, but it has gotten easier. It has become easier for me to let him go and do his own thing in recovery and work his own program. I have stopped cramming NA down his throat and badgering him about doing things, I guess thats the first and third steps in my life. I have to allow him to get enough pain in his life to become willing to do something different with his life. Anyway, his relapses have gotten progressively worse. He had six months clean not to long ago, and relapsed in April, then he used and has recently got kicked out of drug court probation. He has warrents out and will have to do some time for this stuff. He also has a -beautiful- 22 year old girlfriend who he has got in the middle of all this stuff. In the last 24 hours he has stolen her car, pawned some of her stuff, and then he busted out our mom's car window and stole her wallet last night!! I think I pretty much know what I need to do for myself and my family and am doing it to the best of my ability. I have already spoken to my sponsor and have tried to talk to his sponsor as well (a good friend of mine). I'm just trying to be there for my mom right now. I am going over to her house when I get off work here soon and call the police for her, give her some money, some lunch, some love and hugs, and clean up the mess he made and stuff. Damn this disease is ruthless. We are also pretty worried about him commiting suicide through this. I just wanted to let you guys know what I'm going through today and ask for your prayers and guidance through this insanity. I wish I could get her to go to some naranon. Thank god my I can be there for my mother today to help her out through things, 9th step stuff I guess. This kind of stuff sure does give me alot of gratitude for my recovery and remind me that I'm just one hit, pill, drink ect.. away from going there myself. Thanks for letting me share. Love & Respect, Mike

[Gabe]

Mike,
I'm sorry that you're going through all this.
Prayers for you and your family, especially your brother.
Gabe

[Ann]

Mike

I'm sorry too, and pray he will find his way back soon. If your mom has access to a computer, she would be very welcome here. Also, encouraging her to go to meetings is a good thing. I too am the mom of an addict, and meetings were the foundation of my recovery.

Hugs and Prayers for your family
Ann

[splendra]

Dear(((((Mike))))

I am sorry you are going through this too. At least your mom has one clean son and I am sure she appericates you.

I have 3 syblings who are crack addicts. They all have kids and two of them even have grandkids and they are still acting like a bunch of idiots..... My oldest brother just recently beat up my mom after putting an arrest warrent on him guess what he is ready to go into rehab so we told him we were sure that jail offered drug rehab too. He is a real good example of what I hope none of the kids want to become.....

[godsonmyside]

:na2 Makes me think, my 4th step sounded alot like that!! I have 2 brothers and a sister still out there and watch my brother go in and out of jail and uses every excuse to not get clean, you mom is probably very grateful for you right now, and I sure you are too. We pray for the still suffering addicts at meetings, home and through out the day, he's included for sure.
Hope it all works out somehow, Love ya Mike,
Todd J. :na2

[Imagine]

Mike, Your brother, your Mom, and yourself are in my prayers and on my prayer list you all will stay. I know the pain your feeling to well, I'm having to watch my little brother slowly kill his self because he says NA & AA just tries to brain wash him, the hardest thing I had to do was to let go of him and let God take care of him. It was one thing to turn my will & life over to the care of God, it seems turning someone I love over is much harder for me. It goes back to when I came in the rooms and had to admitt my powerlessness. Mike, you hang in there. You work your program very well, and you will make it thru.....................Love & Peace, Jerome.

[cj.]

Thank God you have your program to help you with this. Your Mom is a very lucky woman to have you for a son.

I will pray for you and your family to find peace within your hearts.

cj

[Gooch]

prayers for your brother, your mom and the rest of the family .. and also you Mike.

As you said .. being there for your mom is possible because you are only one hit away.. just for today as we all are.

peace and hugs bro.

[servicejunkie]

Thanks so much for all the words of hope and encouragement everyone. I got a call from my mom at about 2:00 pm yesterday and my mom told me that my brother came back there and crashed out. I droped my kids off at my sisters house and went over there and called the police and watched him let out in cuffs. My mom was traumatized, but I know she will be OK. He will likely be facing some good time in jail for his violations plus this other stuff, I hope he finds God and a different way to live when he's in there. I like the suggestion about trying to get my mom on the naranon forum here, all the Naranon meetings are on the other side of town here in Jacksonville, like 30-40 mile drive. She has done a little bit of alanon but never participated or gotten in the middle of things. Anyway, thanks again for all the love and support everyone.