Tom on Chris Farley’s death: ‘Brother that I love’

Three of the two Farley brothers are said to be recovering from addiction. But what set them apart was Chris, who was a Saturday Night Live alum, no more.

Now, Tom, like his younger brother, sheds light on his ordeal while in rehab. “I started to look at what Chris might have been through and understand a little more about it,” he said WSAW.

This realization made him reflect. “I can take a brother with a substance use disorder and separate the brother I love,” said the late comedian’s brother.

He explained that this separation helped him process his grief and, at the same time, appreciate his relationship with his brother. “I can put my frustrations, anger, and regrets, and all the good and bad things about the brother I love here.”

In addition, Tom said his recovery journey has given him insight into what happened there. But he admits that the task of breaking the addiction becomes more difficult during the holidays.

As the director of social awareness, he explained that this problem arose from participating in the happiness of family and friends, but it is not clear how to manage negative emotions, if any.

“Another tip I like is keep the culture, change the culture,” he added. “You can’t make a wish alone, that’s impossible. We’ve all tried.”

In light of this, Tom offers families of loved ones recovery advice on how to work with them during the holidays.

“Support. Don’t follow,” he shares. “Surveillance creates shame and guilt and isolation, and you don’t want to isolate that person. You want them to connect with you.”

“You’re just trying to manage this incredible behavior. If something bothers you, own up and change the behavior. Take a walk, leave the table. Take a moment,” Tom concluded.

Chris, on the other hand, died in 1997 due to a drug overdose.