Mayor Rob Ford could seek treatment, although mom says stay at work

More than a week into the latest chapter in the epic months-long collapse of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, there is finally an indication that someone near the mayor has some semblance of common sense and, more surprisingly, the ability to make him listen.

The Globe and Mail cites a close adviser who said Ford is seriously considering undergoing substance abuse treatment. His lawyer says he is "considering his options."

And his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, from whom Ford has been publicly separate in recent days, told a radio station that the mayor could "go away for a week or a couple of weeks."

"If Rob goes away on a little vacation, a week, two weeks, comes back, loses 50 or 60 pounds, and stays on the straight and narrow … it will be very tough to beat Rob Ford," Doug Ford told AM 640.

Troubling that the only reason Doug Ford thinks his brother should go away is so he can come back more politically powerful. Still, it all adds up to the possibility that Rob Ford might seek help for his substance abuse issues.

[ Related: Rob Ford crack video submissions in court today ]

If this is the case, if confessed drug user Rob Ford is willing to seek treatment, this is the first indication of it. Ford denied the existence of a video reportedly showing him smoking from a crack pipe until the evidence stacked up against him. He still denies having a substance abuse problem and has ignored advice from close advisers, including the deputy mayor, to seek help.

Ford's mother and sister conducted a bizarre interview with CP24 in which they admitted he had problems but said he should remain in charge of Toronto.

Their argument now goes that we should take pity on Ford. That he is a victim, that despite his personal demons and connections to a criminal underworld, he should remain at the helm.

[ More Brew: Toronto shows outrage at Rob Ford with chalk messages ]

After days and days of explosive confessions, shocking videos and some of his closest political allies moving against him, Ford has been left a huddled, embarrassed mess (those words paraphrased from the comments of his own mother). Yet Ford, who has admitted to smoking crack cocaine once and apologized for being caught "hammered" in public, refuses to step down, refuses to seek tangible help and continues to rely on denial-laden family and a tone deaf Ford Nation for support.

Meantime, the public demands Ford resign, the Ford family continues to blame the media for reporting on Ford's personal issues and council allies such as Denzil Minnan-Wong are moving motions to freeze Ford's powers and urge him to step down.

If we are to pity Ford, it should be for having a support base that refuses to intervene. Supporters want him to remain static because of a personal vendetta against those who don't agree with him, and his family seems more focused keeping him a political force than improving his mental health.

If Ford is actually about to seek treatment, it would be a step in the right direction. But it had better be more than a week-long vacation in Florida. Rome wasn't built in a day. And drugged up, inebriated mayors don't get clean in a week.

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