Originally Posted by
SS Minnow
You are in for a ride, man. If he "bought" the house from G-ma that lives right across the street and owns a bunch of land around y'all, it sounds more like she gave him the house and will pay the taxes to make sure it is not lost. When she does finally pass, he will likely get some kind of inheritance, hopefully. That will be the fastest way it will end. If she sets up a trust for him, his house taxes/expenses to be paid for, you will be looking at years of unrest, unfortunately.
I have 3 brothers, I am the oldest. Each one of them struggle with their demons. The youngest is a heavy drinker. Means no harm to anyone, does no harm to anyone. Very sad to see him lately. Either he is drunk or hungover and no matter which time you find him, he stinks. Stinks like alcohol on his breath, or that body stink the next day. Don't know how to describe it, but he stinks. He owns a trailer right by where he works. Makes it to work everyday and pays his bills. That is all he does though, and his life could be so much better.
The oldest of my younger brothers is a heroin addict. At least that is how he started. Not sure what he does now. When I (we) were younger I let him live with me for a bit. He could never keep a job and I understood. We were young, I considered myself lucky to find a job that I liked and made good money. I just could not help him to do that, he just did not fit anywhere. The problem came in that while I was out working, he was having his friends over to my place and I could not keep any food in the house as it would be gone by the time I made it home from work the next day. Not to mention the mess that was left. So after a bit of that, it was decided that we should not live together. It did not end quite that smoothly, but it did end. My house, garage and truck were broken into and things were stolen a couple few times after that. It was obvious who did it, as nobody else would have known where certain things were. He currently lives with our mother. Does not work, but is either high on something (will not stop talking) or stares blankly at the wall with his mouth open the last few times I have seen him. Again, it is just sad.
And then, my other brother. Not sure what he was doing, or is doing, or if he is even doing anything anymore. Either way, he has 2 of the most beautiful kids I have ever seen. At least they were. Right after the second kid was born things went sideways with him and the mother. And then he got his 3rd OWI. Went to jail for a bit. I had an agreement with the kids Mother that I took the kids on the weekends. They were 2&3 at the time. Shortly after being released for that, he got his 4th OWI. He made bail, but then got his 5th before his 4th was even settled in court. Did not bother me, I loved having those kids around on weekends, and weeks on end during the summer. Shortly after being released from that, he was arrested for a 6th OWI. This time he went away for a 3 year prison bit.
This brother was the worst. He used the kids for leverage. He would show up at my house all messed up demanding to see his kids. Alright, would let him see the kids, but would not let them out of my sight. Then he would want to leave with them, take them to the park down the street or such. OK, would go with them though. But then he would want to take them in his car to wherever. Big time no. We had it out a few times over that. He would call the police, they would show up, and after a few minutes of talking to each of us individually, they would escort him somewhere else telling him not to return or he would be arrested.
So, I have dealt with all kinds of addiction in my life. I know it is considered a "disease" but that is a cop out. Follow the money behind that one. If it were not labeled a disease, they could not bill insurance companies for treatment. That disease begins with a choice. You choose to start drinking or drugging. Why don't you go and get addicted to working, or doing charity work? That can be a disease too, right?
So yeah, keep yer head on a swivel. Addicts are unpredictable and you should expect the un-expected.