I don't know if this discussion board is for this, but I am searching for answers.......been searching for about 18 years.  My brother has struggled with addiction since he was 13 years old.  It is very difficult to grasp since I feel as if he died then.  I am in the counseling field so I understand the "whys" of why he does what he does and it is easy for me to see, but it is more difficult to handle b/c I am dealing with it in my family.  The hardest part is seeing how it affects my mother.  We are trying the tough love approach.......it is getting to the point where I am so tired of believing in him b/c he always hurts me, mom, his son.  He is depressed, but he always drowns in alcohol/drugs.  He will do good for so long and then mess up......  He has been through rehab 3 times and in jail 4.......I am so frustrated!  Share your thoughts.............

JUST BECAUSE HE HAS NOT RECOVERED ( YET) DOES NOT MEAN  HE WONT. ADDICTION IS NOW CONSIDERED A DEVELPMENTAL PROCESS. SIMPLY MEANING , FOR SOME IT TAKES SEVERAL TREATMENT EPISODES TO MAKE IT. PROBLEM IS PEOPLE HEAR THAT SOMEONE" HAS BEEN TO 10 REHABS AND THINK," IF HE DIDNTGET IT NOW HE WILL NEVER.". NOT TRUE!!!!!!FOR YOU, JUST BECAUSE YOU UNDERSTAND IT DOESNT MEAN IT WONT HURT. ITS TOUGH BEING POWERLESS OVER A SICK FAMILY MEMBER.. HOWEVER, LIKE MANY OTHER DO -- DONT TURN YOUR BACK ON HIM. REINFORCE WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HIM AND DONT ENABLE ANYTHING. IN SHORT- REMAIN AS OPEN MINDED AND TELL HIM YOUR SAD ABOUT IT. DONT BE LIKE SOME AND BE ANGRY OR DISAPPOINTED--- THAT THE LAST THING SOMEONE SHOULD DO. JUST STAY SOBER YOURSELF AND CONTINUE TO ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE IN HIM-- HE HAS A DISEASE.