If you’ve never dealt with addiction, you might not be able to fathom just how hard it is to haul yourself out of that particular viper pit – or how hard it is to stay clean.

OP, who is a recovering alcoholic, was hosting a party at his home with his girlfriend.

I’m 40M, just turned forty last week. I’m divorced and have 2 teenage kids with my ex wife, 17M and 14F.

My whole family came to my and my GF’s apartment last Saturday for my birthday party: my parents, some aunts and uncles, some cousins, my 3 brothers with their families, my two kids (and my GF’s 15yro son who lives with us).

I am a recovered alcoholic, I’ve been sober for 6 years now.

Needless to say, he doesn’t drink anymore.

Alcohol absolutely ruined my life, it destroyed my marriage and nuked my relationship with my kids for years. I don’t allow alcohol in my home now, for anyone.

It just isn’t served or tolerated here.

Everyone knows this, yet his brother did something unthinkable.

My entire family knows this very well, as they know my entire history with alcohol.

For my 40th, my brother bought me a very expensive bottle of whiskey, it had writing on it, a very heavy bottle and very old whiskey, so it probably cost him a couple hundred bucks.

When he gave me the bottle, I was shocked, and said I don’t drink, but thanks for the gift.

The brother opened it and started pouring shots. OP’s daughter had a panic attack at the smell (because of his past) and OP asked his brother to take it outside, at least.

He then opened the bottle and started pouring shots in plastic cups for everyone.

My daughter had a panic attack at the smell of the alcohol (which I am painfully aware is my fault and I will never forgive myself for it), so I told my brother to take the alcohol out on the balcony and just leave it there.

He wouldn’t do it, and took a shot of the whiskey.

I told him to seriously stop it and he proceeded to pour the whiskey. He then said I am acting like a sober saint now, when I ruined everyone’s birthdays for years with my drinking.

I told him to come to the hallway with me and talk it out. He refused and put a glass of whiskey in my hand.

I took the trash can, threw the whiskey bottle in it and the plastic cups, and took the trash out.

So were the parents on his side? You’d think so, but…

My brother then stormed off and my mom followed him. She later called me, demanding an apology for disrespecting my brother like that.

My dad said I was being overly sensitive, and some of my other family members also agree.

Aita here?

I am stunned, but is Reddit? Let’s check in with them!

The top comment says what the brother did was very cruel.

This person says it’s never ok to step on someone’s boundaries in their own home.

They say it sounds like the brother might have some stuff to unpack in therapy.

This commenter can’t believe no one in the family stood up for OP.

But knowing why doesn’t make it ok.

I hope OP is ok and still sober going forward.

And I hope his kids and girlfriend can support him, since his family is not.

If you liked that post, check this one about a guy who got revenge on his condo by making his own Christmas light rules.