Substance abuse and addiction - Weird place to post this I know

Hi. This is definetly random. I'd like to start this discussion with anyone who has a significant other with substance issues, or with anyone with substance issues themselves. 29Gifts is such a warm, caring community, what better place to find others to chat about this with.

My story:
My big sister has struggled with amphetamine addiction for 10 years. She has been to rehab 3 times (though this last time was only for 10 days - she mustn't have been ready) and has managed to stay clean for 11.5 months. Unfortunately at present she has just relapsed :-( I love her so much and most of all I miss her. She is my best friend and we are so much alike. I have a young son and he has a wonderful bond with her. When she is using we don't see her for periods of time. She is a beautiful, generous, warm, funny, loyal, open-minded woman. If only she could see how wonderful she is. throughout the last 10 years my relationship with her has varied. I have tried 'being the bestfriend', 'the therapist', 'the family mediator', and have also tried 'tough love' and avoidance. Of course I have always loved her. Its such a hard situation. Experts generally say the 'addict' has to be the one to make the change. In theory, I agree. However, the reality is that very few 'addicts' have enough 'normal'/non-drugged brain time to come to this decision. Most often, they are not in their 'right' mind. Further, for each of the times my sister has entered rehabilitation (residential), it has been at the insistence and persistence of myself and my family. We have had to support, encourage, and at time push her to get her there. She thanks us for it later. So, the old 'you have to wait until the 'addict' is motivated and makes the change, doesn't always work.

I am at a place now, where I accept that my sister may continue to use for the rest of her life. This bothers me less now than it ever has. I worry about the ramifications of life long drug use. On most days I am in a good place with dealing with my sister and her disease, however there are times when I'm racked with pain and I bawl for her.

I'd love to hear anyone else's stories....

Sioban xx