As someone who has overcome an addiction to drugs (I was an IV drug user on methamphetamine) I have to tell you that the only person who can do anything about her situation is your sister, but the only way that will happen, if it does, is for her to lose those she cares about and depends on most. Tough love. By enabling her, your parents are only prolonging the problem... a person in your sister's situation normally has to end up with nothing and no where to turn in order to see within herself that it's up to her alone to overcome and change. It is a struggle unlike anything I can explain unless you've gone through it yourself, but in my case, I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't gone through it. I am strong and confident and have changed the things I harbored inside myself that led to the addiction and dependency in the first place, but I had to do it alone, with my God and no one else. I'm not telling you to turn your back on your sister, but I know that often that is exactly what she really needs you to do the most, because you become part of our burden. We will, trust me on this, HATE YOU while we are struggling through straightening out our lives, but once we do, we are so very grateful that you made us stand on our own two feet and trust ourselves to overcome whatever happens in the future and for giving us a real life that we'll never be able to explain or make that up to anyone except to help others in similiar situations as much as we can. Good luck to you and your family, you will be in my prayers, and if you ever need someone to talk to or vent to (which is probably more appropriate!) or if your sister does, please feel free to contact me anytime:
Shannon
hurricane_shannon@yahoo.com (same for Yahoo Messenger)
PS: I haven't logged on to Mystic Board in probably 6 months and your posting here is the 1st thing I read... I believe that things in our lives happen for a reason if we are looking for the signs! Thank you for your post! It reminds me how blessed I really am at this point in my life!