re: Anyone have a family member that threw their life away with drugs?

My situation is exactly the same as the OP, but its my big brother and he did it to himself in his late 40's huffing spray paint. After a brief stint on the streets (long story about paranoid schizophrenia) he landed back with my elderly parents (in their 80's). My dad found him in the basement with a bag over his head filled with spray paint having just passed out. My poor dad had to get the bag off his head and leave him down there, because he can barely make it up and down the stairs on his own, to call 911. Brother was clean for years, but dealing with tremors/memory loss/depression as a result of long term abuse, until this Christmas when he decided he was fine and stopped taking meds. My poor parents are trying to piece it back together.

He is very lucky my mom and dad are still well and that my dad is still mentally sharp.. but one day soon he will be mine to inherit and worry about and manage meds, etc.. all from another state. Not sure what I am gonna do about that. It will definitely put a strain on my own family.

I feel sorry for him though. I'm not mad at him. Although I understand your temptation to be. People make decisions without thinking about the consequence to others.