Brent

Well for two days now I have working on getting Brent out of jail. What a nightmare that is, working with the court system and the jail. Paying fines and having to have 'exact change'. Being treated like a criminal yourself. Only some people want to actually help you with your questions on what to do next in the process of getting someone released. The news keeps stating "the jail is over crowded. Inmates that are dangerous could be released due to over-crowding". What a joke! Let out people like Brent who is in for possession of marijuana and two unpaid cash only bails for driving on suspension.

When some one gets in trouble (and no, my brother has not been an angel) it just seems so hard for people to pull themselves out. I just pulled up the jail roster and he was not on it. He said he would call as soon as he was released. I have not heard from him yet.

Well this isn't the first time I have been the only one responsible enough to get someone out of jail. I wish people who are 'friends' of inmates would buck up when someone they supposedly care about is in there!

Roy

I haven't written for a couple of months. Roy is still unemployed. He is now living with a friend but he needs to pull his own weight. He went through every last dime Mom sent and asked twice if Mom sent any more money since I told him "this is it, the last of the money".

He wasn't using all the money as he had promised when he was given cash. He would keep some of it for bottles. I found out he would get up in the morning, go to the liquor store, drink the bottle, and then go to bed mid-day. Then he would get up a few hours later and start the process again. He did this twice per day when ever he had a little bit of pocket cash.

I keep asking him how his job hunt is going. He's telling me that he is putting in applications but I am having a hard time believing that he is actually searching to really get a job. I am lost at what the next step should be. It's really hurting Mom.

Realization

Met with Roy today to give him money for a fine and food. Discussed a phone call from Mom this morning. She will not be able to send more money. Dad has only worked 1 week out of the last 3 months. They cleaned out is truck today; he is a truck driver. He can no longer work due to his health. His kidneys are failing and he is having issues with his heart. I don't know anymore detail on his health but I plan to ask more questions in my next call to Mom.

Roy has no option but to get a full time job and be self sufficient. Hopefully he can make it happen. His life has seemed to spiral out of control. No job, no license, fines, classes, drug testing fees, probation, etc. I think he is having a difficult time seeing a way out. I have been unsuccessful at getting him to commit to getting real help for his drinking problem.

A call from Angie

Angie, is my sister. I just received a call from her. Angie and her husband happened to take a vacation day to go fishing together. They stopped at the liquor store and who did they see there? Yes, Roy was there on Monday morning, getting his bottle instead of looking for a job. He made Angie promise not to tell me. She said he was so worried about me finding out, he didn't even ask how she had been. She said he looked horrible. Angie doesn't see Roy often so the changes in his physical appearance are more obvious to her than they are to me.

I did see Roy on Friday and he was straight, as far as I could tell. I talked to him about a job and his drinking. I gave him money from my mom and asked him not to spend it on booze. The money I give him is to go for food, etc. I have been paying his bills with checks instead of giving him cash. This is the only way I can guarantee that the money goes to living expenses instead of drinking.

A call from Mom

I just received a call from my mom. What a wonderful person she is! She has been financially helping my brother, Roy who is 40 years old, for quite some time now. He is an alcholic. She is so worried about him and wants to know how she can do more or if there is anything she is not doing to help him. I can feel her pain and it hurts me to know she hurts inside. I think Roy has given up on life. He has lost everything due to his lifestyle. I have tried to talk to him about changing his lifestyle but, again, it just seems he has given up.

I am going to talk to Roy today and let him know how much he is hurting his mom. I think he needs to know. I want to help relieve her pain. Help!! Alcoholism hurts everyone close to the situation.