I am very worried about my brother. He has been through a lot in the last couple of years and suffers from depression. Last summer he started to use drugs (not sure what) and just kinda wasted eight months doing nothing. Then he seemed to clean up get a job and then all hell broke loose(Feb). He lost his job and his home. He lives with his girlfriend and they have 4 kids total. When asked he says he hasn't used since last year but.....
He's not working and he's not making an effort to work or get help. When I search (on the internet) for signs of depression and signs of drug use they are almost identical. I don't know what to believe. I ran in to him tonight at the local store and he was buying alcohol (would love to know where he got the money!!) he said he was getting drunk again. I am struggling with what to do next. He says he knows he needs to talk to someone about the depression but then keeps missing his appts. His girlfriend doesn't work either she doesn't want to leave the kids alone with him. I guess I'm wondering what can you do or say? or ask? When do you step in on behalf of the children?? I know he needs to make the decision on his own to get help but isn't their any way to force the matter?? Thanks for listening!!

If he's an adult and living on his own already with his girlfriend and kids, then I think at this point the only thing you can do is tell him how you feel, but the girlfriend is probably the only one who has the upper hand. Can you talk to her and suggest she give him an alternative. My brother is a recovering alcoholic and it took my sister in-law giving him a choice, alchohol or her and the kids, for him to check himself into rehab and he never had a drink since. Not that you would want to do this, but if you feel the kids are being neglected there are people you can report that too, but that doesn't sound like the case if the girlfriend won't leave them alone with him. Sounds like she is on top of what he's doing, but maybe hasn't yet gotten to the point of giving him an alternative. I would start by talking to her and see if you can come up with a plan together that might force his hand a little. I worried about my brother for years, but he was married and had kids by the time he got help, and I thank god all the time that he did.I thank my sister in-law even more :angel:

Unfortunately I am starting to wonder about her also. I never would have thought it but why isn't she doing anything to improve their situation. She said she was suspicious of him but he had done some things to her in the past so I don't know how much she trusts him. I just don't get it. Two grown adults and no money come in, which makes me wonder if it is drugs... Cause how would they be paying for them??? Nothing seems to fit. Has anyone ever had to deal with social services?