You clearly have not 'heard' what this woman is writing about.   He refuses to let go of them,
he needs them and he uses them.  Addicts of all kinds do.  In regardless of substance or 
whether poor or rich.  This also goes for much of mental illness in general.  The burden on
family is enormous.  To you Earthman1000 reread this piece.  And feel the hopelessness
this woman and her family feels.  And her brother, who is the culprit but also a victim as
an addict.  This is not easy.