Comments on The Random Memorandum: Some Things Bring Me to My Knees...

Oh my friend, there's no easy answer to any of...

2009-06-05T18:46:49.877+05:30

Oh my friend, there's no easy answer to any of that, is there? I am sorry for the struggles for your parents and your brothers. It's not bound to end happily, which is the worse part. Blessings to you all.

It really sucks. Stories like these are never goo...

2009-06-03T00:11:31.366+05:30

It really sucks. Stories like these are never good, and when they affect the family in such severe ways it's even worse.

From my experience, unless they want to change, they aren't going to. You (and you parents) need to find a way to deal with what he's doing (and not going to stop doing).

It's so hard to deal with an addiction of any kind...

2009-06-02T17:41:24.407+05:30

It's so hard to deal with an addiction of any kind. It causes so much stress for everyone. My heart goes out to you and your family for having to bear this. I'm so sorry.

this is so terrible, for ALL of you. I am sooo sor...

2009-06-02T04:42:00.075+05:30

this is so terrible, for ALL of you. I am sooo sorry. I dont even know what to say, so I will just send you a virtual hug. ((((hugs)))

Oh my goodness, I must be your doppleganger...well...

2009-06-02T03:37:36.169+05:30

Oh my goodness, I must be your doppleganger...well, that's if one didn't have to be good and the other bad. And, I suspect that's a myth anyway. Our father's are very similar. My brother and sister are alcoholics. She's in recovery but, he's not. It is VERY difficult seeing my father and son and nephew suffer on account of my brother's chronic alcoholism. My brother employs them all. We have a bizare alcoholic family with a lot of workaholics at the same time. As a mother, I'm helping my son put our AlAnon program to work in his young life with his alcoholic uncle. My Mom and Dad go to Al Anon and life has gotten so much less stressful for them regarding their reactions and pain to the alcoholics. Thank God for that.

Alcoholism, drug addiction, etc, are all very self...

2009-06-02T01:33:21.710+05:30

Alcoholism, drug addiction, etc, are all very selfish diseases. Your brother is being very selfish and that selfishness is interfering with your life and the lives of your parents. It will take either your brother walking away from alcohol for good, or for you guys to walk away from brother. The latter would be difficult for you and your parents, but it may be what wakes your brother up to his condition and finally giving up drinking.

I'm so very sorry, hon. I wish he would realize the pain he's causing for everyone.

I'm really sorry to hear this. I have been living...

2009-06-01T20:15:11.949+05:30

I'm really sorry to hear this. I have been living with my husband's alcoholism for about 4 years and it is so frustrating to see what he is doing to himself and also our family.
Unfortunetly, unless alcoholics want to change, they won't. Because of the disease they are extremely selfish and can't think about anyone but themselves.
I am thinking of you and your parents. Hang in there.

My heart hurts for you and this situation. I can'...

2009-06-01T20:06:26.082+05:30

My heart hurts for you and this situation. I can't imagine the emotions you and your parents are feeling right now but I totally agree with you. There are some things a parent should not have to live with, namely an adult child with a life threatening addiction. I don't think there is such a thing as a family who hasn't been totally ripped apart by addiction, mine included.

I'll be thinking about you and your parents. Hopefully your bro gets a major wake up call and realizes what he's done.

Oh, Linda, I know this pain all too well. It rips...

2009-06-01T19:41:15.187+05:30

Oh, Linda, I know this pain all too well. It rips your heart out to see your elderly parents (parent, in my case) dealing with their addicted child. It's my sister in our family.

She basically became a shut-in many years ago, which is good in the sense that she can't hurt herself or anyone else out in the world, but the damage she did to her two boys has been a mess that my mother and brother and I have been trying to clean up for years.

Hopefully, your brother will straighten up again and stay that way so that your parents can have some peace. My sister has never even tried.

I am so sorry to hear this is going on - addiction...

2009-06-01T19:36:45.230+05:30

I am so sorry to hear this is going on - addiction of any kind is something that loved ones have no control over - and my first inclination is to offer up al anon as a source of comfort to you - because it has played a huge role in helping me deal with my husband's alcoholism.

(hugs)

Cat

My heart aches for all of you...what an insidious ...

2009-06-01T19:03:09.179+05:30

My heart aches for all of you...what an insidious sickness. I understand that Al-Anon meetings can be lifesavers for family members. Blessings to you.

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with your...

2009-06-01T18:39:08.431+05:30

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with your brother. It's such a rotten affliction and it affects so many people. My father was an alcoholic and died of it. You may want to talk with someone - whether a counselor or a person affiliated with AA - to see what's the most healthy way for you and your parents to deal with your brother so you don't continue to enable his behavior. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.