re: Have you ever had a family member struggle with drug abuse? (Updated)

My brother was a high-functioning addict. He went into treatment for the first time at age 15. He was a really sweet guy and we never had to deal with all the really bad stuff like stealing and manipulating family members but he just did drugs like it was a second identity. He spared us the worst of it and there was never a time where we did not love him or welcome him into our home. He never became a drug zombie who was bereft of morals and compassion. He retained his humanity throughout his terrible tragic self-destructive addiction until the day he overdosed and we buried him. Looking back, I wish I had had even more compassion for him. He was a sweet, loving brother and a great guy. He just had a tragic, self-destructive flaw. I sure do miss him.