Dear June,
What can I do about my brother, a drunk who gets angry and is very difficult to deal with? He does not live in the same state as myself, so is easily ignored.
Would-be Helpful Brother
Dear Would-be Helpful Brother,
As to whether to ignore your brother or not, it might be helpful to consider first whether you think you have a responsibility or duty to help him.
Secondly, if there is no responsibility or duty, does your conscience tell you to help him anyway?
It’s important to answer these questions first, because it would certainly be easier to ignore him and you will face significant difficulty in helping him. Helping a loved one recover from addiction can be very painful and will take grit and determination to see it through; reminding yourself why you’ve taken on this burden will help you carry it….