Oh brother!
Question
My brother suffers from depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety. He qualified as a carpenter earlier this year and has not worked since. He is living at home and claims benefits. He is a heavy cannabis user, takes lots of ecstasy at the weekend and drinks much more than the recommended weekly alcohol allowance.
I'm worried his mental health may be declining due to the lack of routine in his life and his recreational drug use. Could you tell me what I can do to help?
Answer
It is really difficult when someone you care about is not looking after their health and wellbeing. Families often feel helpless when they can't get a family member to accept help or don't know how to access the right kind of support. It sounds as if your brother's difficult time is causing distress for your family. So, it might be worth talking to Adfam. They can help you and your family access a range of specialized services.
The combination of cannabis, alcohol and ecstasy would definitely have an effect on your brother's willingness to face his issues. You mentioned that he suffers from depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety, and it may be that the drugs he is using are making his symptoms worse. Is he taking any prescribed medication for his mental health issues? If so, taking drugs on top of these could lead to additional side effects, including mood and behavioural changes.
The biggest challenge ahead for you is to get him to agree to accept support for his situation. When someone is taking drugs, the choice to stop has to be made by them. If they are ready to think about making this choice there are plenty of things you can do to help him.
You could begin by talking to him about whether or not he wants to cut down or stop using drugs. Increasing your knowledge about the drugs he is using, the effects, the law and the nature of dependency is also a good first step. Then, plan what you want to say. Giving him information about the effects on his health and how to stay safe could help him make up his mind.
Maybe write down a few points and think about how what you are going to say will sound to him. Don't be judgmental and think carefully about what you say and how you say it. You can ring your local drug and alcohol service to find out what is available in your area and encourage your brother to access help. It might take a while but with patience you will be able to support your brother to make a change.
Updated: 13/04/2010
Question answered by Addaction
