For some time now, we have been standing on the side lines watching one of my brothers fall deeper and deeper into alcoholism. For a time, I think most of us (myself for sure) just tried not to believe that he has a problem. I would often make excuses for him or just ignore him when he did have a beer in hand. Over the past year, or so, it's gotten worse. His living conditions worsened to the point of toxic, he would show up with black eyes and try to convince us that he punched himself in his sleep and slowly he has stopped showing up at family functions that he would normally attend. In that time, he has also allowed people into his life that have been nothing but detrimental to his well being. The sad part is that he seemed so desperate, at times, for a connection with someone that he permitted the negative messages to infiltrate his mind. I just hope there comes a day when he realizes that those are wrong and there is just so much better in the world for him.
Regardless - as I said, my family came together last night for an intervention. We decided that it is time to step in because if we don't he would simply continue down this path of destruction and we might lose him all together. We did the intervention. We did it out of concern, anger, frustration, care and most importantly - fear. Fear that if we didn't step in he would be done. Something that we, as a family, couldn't live with. Close or not - he is still a family member and therefore a top priority.
After much talk and tears - he agreed and now, today, my brother is off to detox. A detox that I hope will clear his body of all the terrible crap that resides in there now. A detox that, when its done, will make him feel outstanding and realize that he has so much going for him. Simply, a detox that will bring him from the pit he is currently in to a world of views of a possible future.
From there, he is off to rehab to begin the journey of treatment for his disease.
Again - as a family - we let him know that we will be with him every step of the way.
I just hope we can be 'close' enough to hold true to that.
