Have you ever had to cut off ties with a family member?

Walking away - walking away from a family member or friend can be hard
@Shar11 (419)
United States
October 28, 2008 3:16pm CST
Growing up I spent a lot of time with my cousin. He was about a year older than me. We play on the same baseball team, went to the same school, and lived right next door to each other.. Through High School we became even closer and it was hard when I went away to college and didn't get to hang out with him anymore. He was one of my best friends. His life changed suddenly when he broke his back in a car accident. He was only 20. He made a full recovery but still had lots of issues with back and neck pain. He began abusing the pain medication the doctor gave him, often going to more than one doctor to get a prescription. It progressed from pain meds to illegal street drugs such as heroin. He completely changed and despite trying to convince him to get help many times, I had to finally decide one day to just walk away. He was not the same friend, cousin, or person I once knew.. He was stealing from me and other family members and could sometimes have violent outburst. I told him I loved him but that I could not be a part of his life as long as he was using. It was a hard thing to do but I knew it was the right thing. He died from an overdose a few years later and although I felt very guilty for a long time, as I have gotten older I know in my heart I made the decisions that I had to. Have you ever had to cut a close friend or relative out of your life?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@Erssyl (617)
• Philippines
3 Nov 08
Yes ,and I really felt very bad about it I even got sick.My daughter and my daughter in law had a misunderstanding about our house that I gave to my son.My eldest daughter objected to my daughter in law's desire to put their name in the land title although she's not objecting that they live in the house.My daughter in law was very mad that she would not allow me to see their baby and my son too.No one can convince her that she was wrong.I'm very sad about my son.He cannot decide well.They lost their respect to us.For two years now we seldom have communication. And I'm very sad about it.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I'm sorry about your cousin. I never cut off ties with family, though my sister did. Even though she is the one that was screwing up when she was a teenager, she decided to cut off ties with our mom's side of the family (including myself) after she and my mom had a falling out. She (my sister), moved out of our mom's back in 1991 when she was 17, and I didn't see her again until 2001. I had invited her (through our dad) to my kids' birthday party and surprisingly she came. I was willing to be nice and said hello to her, but she was snooty to me just like she used to be. Apparently nothing changed between the two of us, so that was the end of me talking to her. I haven't seen or heard from her since.