Anybody have experience with an intervention?
Had a guy who used to work for me, about 25 years ago, who was hooked on heroin. Locked him into an abandoned house for two months. With a four man team rotating overwatch, feeding him, cleaning him and making sure he was alive. He spent the entire time basically chained to a bed. Rehab centers, IMHO, are like most mental health facilities, they aren't there for help, they are there for babysitting. No offense to anyone working in that industry. They are there so no one dies and no one gets sued and everyone can say something is being done when usually very little long term help is going on. Rehab centers will also caution against the legal and emotional ramifications of a snatch and grab op. But this is because it would cut into their bottom line. Rehab centers make money by keeping you coming. No offense, but most of my lawyers I have on retainer call them "carwashes" They don't fix the problem, they "wash the car" so it doesn't look dirty. Then when the car sputters later, people send it back and you can charge them some more. If it was my brother, I'd get a crew of 3-4 trusted men. Hired if needed. And a secure soundproof location. With the cost considered mitigated against the total cost of a rehab stay and a lifelong dependency and daily worry as a stressor to you. Let him detox out for two months. Put a needle in front of him. Ask him if wants to use. If he does, then sadly, if it was my brother, he would tragically die of an overdose. If I found out he was using ever again after what I consider a high level detox, I suspect he would tragically die of an overdose. If it was my sister, it would be different, the burdens and responsibility in my eyes are not the same. Here's the problem, you are older, maybe the oldest, your priority is to "protect your family" As a junkie, he's not your brother, he's a zombie, and a threat to you and your mother and any other family you have. It's not just the theft, it's the kind of element the drugs attracts and could be brought near your Mom. Most of the time, when people say love is sacrifice, they mean money, or time, or effort, or will or struggle or heart ache. But sometimes, it's just that, sacrifice. Sometimes you carry the weight, so your family doesn't have to, that's how you protect them. My observation and experience is 99 percent of people heavily addicted to drugs never come out of the other side. If it was my brother, and it's not, I'd offer him, with all the love in the world, a pure opportunity and, if needed, a completely pure solution. Given no intervention, given free reign, IMHO, he will hurt your mother and family more than just emotionally and financially. When you pay for distance, you trade for weight. That's the price of being responsible for the safety of the people you love. Most people don't understand real sacrifice. Maybe you do. Maybe you will. I'm sorry for this situation and for your mother's sake, I'm sorry for what she's lost in a son. Good luck. ( Pittstown, sorry to hear about your niece. My genuine sympathies to your family. )
