An ironic twiste of fate....

[swflafun]

Well, I got the call this morning that I have been dreading. My Mom called and said that she knows I'm straight. Ha-ha, what a fool to think that I actually hid this from anyone...

My twin brother (who introduced me to my DOC, roxys 18 months ago) has had two major back surgeries, has been on percs, vics, roxy, oxy, xanax, and beer all day for...oh, 23 years now. Probably more, this is what I know. They have finally decided that he is an addict and wants me to help set up an intervention. My brother and I DO NOT get along so I can only do so much of the prep work for my folks. They are ready for this, he lives with them and is starting to completely lose it. He thinks my Mom is his second ex-wife one minute, his first ex-wife the next...calls her his kids names...not good.

Here I am freshly sober and I HAVE to do this. So, any links/ideas/suggestions for the Naples/Ft Myers Florida area for what I have in front of me will be greatly appreciated. This will be by force, no question. I am completely lost here.

OK folks, you all saved me, how about another?

I was a cake-walk compared to what nightmare I'm facing now, so all your help is greatly appreciated!

Money is NOT an issue.

Thanks.

Gary

[eyeofhorus2010]

A&E's intervention was the first thing that went running through my mind too. I wonder how quick they could get there. Given swflafun's flare for speaking his mind and his quick wit and turn of phrase would make an awesome episode.

[Crys833]

A&E Intervention on TV...would that take too long?

[Crys833]

A tinsy problem indeed! Don't forget to breath occasionally while you're going through all this:) I don't think I breathed at all reading your last post,lol. I'll be praying for you and your parents.

[Jaybay]

Did you check out this place?  Scroll past the information form and read what it says about intervention.  This place appears to offer it all from detox through recovery, inpatient or outpatient.  It would be worth talking to them if nothing else.

http://www.usnodrugs.com/intervention.htm

[eyeofhorus2010]

Hey Gary, man I gotta tell I'm stumped on this one. He's not gonna like anything about this. He's going to walk into a room full of people who are stareing at him and he's going to bolt.
He doesn't want to quit and he's more in love with his pills and alchohol than he's ever loved anything in his life. It's going to get messy. I believe he'll leave and not come back for a few days too. It sounds like your parents love you both and care very much about both of you, but I think they may be a little naive about how this is going to go down.
Can you locate a proffesional intervintionist? I think if it's going to happen it should happen someplace nuetral. If he's violent you don't want him destroying your parents home.

I know I'm of no help on this one so all I can say is good luck. I wish you were a little further along in your sobriety before this was tossed into your lap. Again, good luck. Bob

[swflafun]

Vicki and Katrina

Sorry, didn't mean to skip you two! A little too much on the mind. Thanks, it's gonna be tough.

[swflafun]

Crys833 - This is a lot harder than it seems. Been working the phones all morning, yeah thank goodness I have a clear head! What a nightmare! No-one takes involuntary patients. Have to go to the court and file a Marchmans Act. Certain places will take him under court order, but not all. Only 3 days. You have a clue what kind of rage he will be in on Day 3?? YIKES!
PLUS, he gets served by the court and gets his day in front of the judge, first. No doubt they will committ him, but if he is not in the COUNTY he is scott free, until they catch him IN the county. Grrrrr.

Nobody even knows who the friggin Dr is, how can that be?? First thing I asked my Mom, she don't know. Asked my Dad, he don't know.....geez guys, this is great. More GRRrrr.

And I been a good boy for a few weeks, I don't need this. GRRRR.

Pow-wow time tonight it looks like. Talk to my folks, outline the situation and try to get them to go to Alanon and proceed from there. These people have no idea what is coming. As much as I hid my addiction, they still knew. I was a pansy (yeah, you know what I wanted to say, sorry about that..) compared to this. 120 30mg roxys, 60 15mg roxys, 30 2mg xanax...per month. Plus beer from dawn until dusk. And only God knows what else he is doing..last I hear he was smoking meth...and I'm sure he's buying more roxys on the street.

Shaping up to be a banner year for me.....and it's not even February. GRRRRRRRRR

I was looking for something to challenge me, but this is absurd!

Hope you're doing well, you sounded better today! I'm very good, just this little, tiny, itsy-witsey problem.....feeling a little stressful all of a sudden, imagine that? CRIPES.

Gary

[Crys833]

If your parents aren't going to be the main force in his recovery then, yeah a forced recovery is the only option. I hope it works out, he sounds so lost in all this. Glad you have a clear head to help you get through the stress:) Cutting him off from the Dr. and letting the dr know about everything might be a good idea?

[swflafun]

IBKleen - It will be nasty. I have no illusions. My folks? I don't think they are prepared for it. He is a violent person by nature, spousal abuse, been detoxed from alcohol already once...they thought that was tough, they don't have any clue of what this is going to be like. I can't be present at the intervention, he thinks I'm still a user, and have already suggested EXTREME protection for all.

Crys833 - They will never put him on the street. Catch-22. There are zero options left. It will be a forced committment. He doesn't have a problem....and the doctor prescribed them...yada,yada,yada. Gonna be real ugly.

Keep em coming folks.....

[Katrina81]

Good luck to you and your family. This will be difficult for all of you. Lead by example. Your doing a great job. Keep it up Gar-Bear (thats what i call my uncle gary  :)) Sober Gary rocks!

[IBKleen]

If you can first find a treatment center that he can get into, they usually have a staff member who conducts the interventions. They are rough and you had better be ready for it--all of you. If he is not ready he is going to fight back and it could get nasty---physically and verbally. I wish you all the best, let us know how you make out.

[Crys833]

This is a tough situation for you! Are you parents ready to cut your brother off from living with them? I think you supporting your parents and helping them recover from living with an addict will be beneficial for your recovery. I don't know your brother, but would he be willing to get help? He must know somewhere inside that he can't live like that anymore. Making it clear to him that he is going to lose everything he's got going for him right now, which seems like it's only the drugs, may scare him enough to get help. I'll be rooting for you, keep me posted! I wish I could be more help:)

[vicki595]

Oh boy...

I'd start with the family doctor. He/she is a great resource person. You'll need the medical support,a psychiatrist/therapist,and a lot of tough love. It isn't easy and he probably won't go anywhere on his own. Sometimes you need an atty. to protect HIS rights if you want to commit him.

Keep posting and take care of yourself!!