STARS: How I Survived Living With a Drug Addict

I realize that several causes and philanthropies are going on in this great month of October. One is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Now while I haven't undergone domestic violence in any relationship, romantic, personal nor family, I have had to endure being around a drug addict: my brother Adam. 

Many of you know of his troubles which eventually led him to leaving us 16 years ago. What many of you do not know what it was like for me to live with someone for 3 years that was abusing different types of drugs. 

I will say respectfully it was a challenge on myself and my mother. Friends and other addicts around constantly, his behavior when he was intoxicated, the outbursts, stuff being stolen, etc. I had went from living on my own for 6 years to almost being like a prisoner in my own home that my mom made for both of us. This was definitely not my brother: it was a demon. 

I had to get really creative with hiding food and snacks and even valuables. Adam would eat, steal and destroy anything he could. I had a spot in my closet where I hid belonging and food and made it difficult for him to get to. There were honestly things, even perishable foods, I found years later since I had forgotten them. All in all, I prevented him from consuming 50 snacks, destroying and stealing 25 shirts, 15 pairs of shorts and ten pairs of pants. 

Adam did better with my shoes as he really did not mess with those. I had to pretty much stay in my room 90% of the time watching TV and movies. I would stay gone on weekends and even late some weekdays to avoid confrontation. I knew when he was knocked out from a Xanax binge that the next 48 hours would be Hell for us. I did all I could to stay out of the way. We did have a couple of run ins though. I was stabbed once, two more times I fought and beat him up and got him sent to jail on domestic violence. I heard a good quote in Cobra Kai: " best defense is no be there." I definitely did this for 3 years until he started getting cleaner.

I certainly do not have all of the answers here. This is simply my survival story and how I was able to have normalcy and peace during a tough period in my life. I definitely encourage anyone undergoing this to find every avenue to help a person that's addicted to drugs. You may have to place them in a shelter, home or facility but being in your home is a definite challenge. You have to be there as much as possible but 1. Protect your own peace first and 2. Realize that everyone isn't going to be receptive to health. That's when you must separate yourself from this person. I had to do it this way and I pray it's easier if it occurs again.