Resentful Brother Reveals Brother's History Of Drug Addiction To His In-laws After He Criticized Him For His "Hedonistic" Lifestyle

By hedonistic, his brother meant: living with his girlfriend, using soft drugs, and playing video games.

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• June 3, 2024

A Redditor's resentment towards his brother bubbled up during a family barbecue the latter hosted. His brother gave unsolicited opinions about OP's life, so he reminded him about his not-so-shiny past.

OP's brother is a recovering drug addict. OP's parents almost lost their house because they used all of their money to repeatedly check his brother into rehab to keep him out of jail.

OP bought the house from his parents, and they now live with him. OP, his girlfriend, and their dog live in the basement suite, while his parents occupy the main part of the house.

OP's brother has now been sober for some time. He turned to religion, got married, had kids, and has been gainfully employed thanks to his father-in-law.

Despite the positive turn in his brother's life, he hasn't offered to pay their parents back. Whatever OP said, his parents did what they thought was best for his brother.

OP realized he was still bitter about their family history during a recent BBQ his brother hosted. His brother wasted no time mocking OP about still living with their parents, smoking weed, and playing video games while "living in sin."

OP told his brother to shut up and warned him to leave him out of whatever issue he had. His brother said he knew OP could unlock his full potential if he applied himself and looked for guidance.

OP thanked his brother for the meal. He and his girlfriend were walking away when his brother yelled that OP needed to hear what he said to be motivated.

The dam broke. OP told his brother he was motivated. He may enjoy recreational substances, but he paid for them from the money he earned from his job.

OP said he never stole from their parents to buy drugs. He said he lived in a house he owned with their parents because they were buried in so much debt from legal fees and rehab.

OP told his brother that his college fund went up his nose. OP's litany was a revelation to his brother's parents-in-law. OP's parents said they understood why he snapped but said he should have addressed his issues when it was just their family present.

His brother was foolish for aggravating the person who cleaned his messes in front of his in-laws who were clueless about his past.

Pulling someone down to make yourself look better is always the wrong way to go.

Why wasn't it okay for OP to say his piece but acceptable for his brother to ridicule him publicly?

His brother needs to be reminded that he was still responsible for the pain and suffering he caused others during his addiction.

Did OP's brother expect their family to go along with his plan to rewrite his and their family's history?

OP matched the energy his brother showed. He shouldn't be chastized for having a spine.

OP didn't share any more details about the aftermath. In hindsight, he said he should have walked away instead of going low like his brother did.

Redditors disagreed and said OP handled the situation appropriately. He shouldn't have to participate in his brother's attempts to erase his past at his expense.

Chelsi