A number of factors should be taken into consideration when determining if someone has a drinking problem. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, dependence on alcohol develops over time and usually presents symptoms that include a high tolerance, strong cravings and loss of control when drunk. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear when the person goes without drinking. When you think a friend has a drinking problem, you should consult a doctor for recommendations.
Step 1
Talk to your friend and convey your concern. Straight talk sometimes can alert friends that others are noticing their drinking habits. Be prepared to provide a list of doctors or treatment facilities that can help if your friend decides to listen to you.
Step 2
Explain how your friend's drinking is affecting you. Provide specific examples of times that she embarrassed you or came close to causing an accident. If injury resulted from your friend's drinking habits, tell her what happened.
Step 3
Provide support and encouragement when confronting your friend. While he may deny having a problem, according to Alberta Health Services, being angry and judgmental only will serve to alienate your friend. Offer your concern in a loving way to maintain the relationship so you can help when he's ready to quit.
Step 4
Stick to your convictions when you tell your friend that you have to stop hanging out with her or that you must taper off your relationship. Tell her honestly how her drinking is interfering and that you won't see her again until she gets help, and then follow through with your threat.
Step 5
Enlist the help of a trained interventionist. According to the Mayo Clinic, a professional with experience at confronting alcoholics can provide you with suggestions and set up a meeting with you and other family members and friends so that you won't have to confront the your friend alone. An intervention specialist can maintain order and keep the meeting on track as well as take your friend to treatment directly from the meeting.
Tips and Warnings
- While alcoholics can go to meetings to meet others recovering from the disease, you can get help and support from a group, Al-Anon, designed for family and friends of alcoholics. In addition to support, you can find people willing to share their own experiences of confronting their loved ones and tell you what worked and what didn't.
- Enabling means that you actually are helping your friend continue his path of self-destruction. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, you've got to stop covering up for your friend's mistakes and let him experiences the consequences of his drinking. Wait until your friend is sober before talking with him about his drinking problem so that the message will be heard clearly.
Things You'll Need
- Treatment center
- Interventionist
