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Family member and drug use

31 replies

Itsgettinghotinere · 02/09/2026 08:09

i know I’ll get responses telling me to mind my own business however, I am hoping for some sensible advice on how to approach a situation with a family member and drug use.

We live hours away from them so it’s difficult to understand what’s going on but it seems they are regularly using cocaine at home. Their health is really suffering now, they sleep in until lunch time so worried about their job. always always broke but earns a very good salary (they depend on parents to pay for lots of things and parents have no idea what is going on), the kids have seen signs of use at home. There is a lot more but I’m being vague.

How should we approach them? What, if anything, can we do to support? I know they need to want to help themselves but there are kids involved here too.

If it’s relevant we are all dealing with the serious illness of a parent so this is utterly awful.

OP posts:
Itsgettinghotinere · 02/09/2026 09:17

My concern is the kids too.

How much does it even cost? I’m completely naive to it all.

OP posts:
Bluenotgreen · 02/09/2026 09:04

I doubt there’s anything you can do or say that will change anything for that relative.

My concern would be the children…

GreenFootstool · 02/09/2026 09:00

Itsgettinghotinere · 02/09/2026 08:15

But I want advice as to how to best approach the family member directly.

Either do it or don't. The reality is there's no easy way to have this conversation.

There isn't any clever way to front this and there is absolutely no way to ensure they listen or change anything.

Ultimately, you know them and how they behave. You are seeing things that worry you for the safety of the children (how old?) and you want to step in but not take over responsibilities.

The reason I said tell the parents is about the financial support - it may be financial abuse of the parents, exacerbated by their ill health and vulnerabilities. Equally, if the drug user is their child, I assume they are struggling with the illness as well?

Itsgettinghotinere · 02/09/2026 08:15

But I want advice as to how to best approach the family member directly.

OP posts:
Itsgettinghotinere · 02/09/2026 08:14

GreenFootstool · 02/09/2026 08:11

Tell their parents.

Report to social services if kids are around this and the care levels are dropping.

Report to kids school about impact on kids.

We cannot tell the parents- one is terminally ill and we are supporting them. They do not have the capacity to deal with it.

The issue is proof. We have some but need more.

OP posts:
GreenFootstool · 02/09/2026 08:11

Tell their parents.

Report to social services if kids are around this and the care levels are dropping.

Report to kids school about impact on kids.

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