By Kelly BurchOriginal Source: thefix.com

An expert discusses the impact that dealing with a sibling's addiction can have on their loved ones.

As it has become more socially acceptable to talk openly about addiction, groups have popped up to support family members who have had their lives interrupted by a loved one’s substance abuse.While groups for parents and spouses are common, siblings of people with substance use disorder are often overlooked, despite the fact that they need support too.“Kids aren’t prepared for the kinds of emotions that they’re experiencing watching a sibling go through these kinds of crisis,” Tim Portinga, a psychologist at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation told WHYY. “I hear this just consistently over and over again from siblings: that nobody understands how painful it was to have their brother or sister not...click here to continue reading