Hi I'm a pretty heavy user of many drugs, weed, xanax, heroin, mdma, coke, baths salts but Im having a hard time understanding a family members situation. My brother is a heroin addict and has ruined every relationship he had, gf of 6 years that left, family has turned away and all he cares about is dope. He says he can't help it but I'm having a hard time believing him because I use the same drugs and don't let my use impact my life. He's never had a job or worked he just robs shit. I understand the physical side of addiction but I've never had trouble with a mental addiction where I'd put family relationships on the line for dope. So I guess is my question is, is addiction where you just can't help yourself real? To me it seems like he only acts like he wants to be sober to keep people happy but all he wants to do is get high. I've always just had to deal with a shitty few days after I stopped using and then be good.
TLDR: is addiction real or do people just not give a shit and say they're powerless as an excuse for their behavior so they don't have to own up to things?
Edit: I'm really not trying to sound like a judgy douche it's just confusing to me.
People have different brains that react differently when you put chemicals in them.