HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A FRIEND HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM
WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUGS?
Here are a few clues:
- Marks have recently dropped significantly
- Not attending classes
- Problems with personal and family relationships
- Hanging around with a different group and stays away from old friends
- Wanting to borrow money which they never pay back - caught stealing or may be in trouble with the law
- Isolating themselves and being unusually secretive.
Want to help your friend?
If you are sure your friend has a problem, it is not always easy to talk to them about it. However, substance abuse can cause death and talking to your friend may save their life.
- Choose the right time; talk to them when they're sober - maybe the day after they've been drinking or using drugs and they are feeling hung over, guilty and the experience is still fresh.
- You might want to have another friend with you who is also concerned. You could talk to a professional before to get some advice on what to say.
- Always use a gentle, caring tone of voice.
- Try not to judge - don't start out by accusing them of being an alcoholic or a drug addict.
- Tell them how you feel, express your concern and how worried you are about them.
- Mention the things you've seen them do when they are drunk or high. Use specific examples of how they've changed, how the drugs can affect their health and their academics.
- Be prepared for anger, denial or rejection. They will probably deny having a problem and be angry at you for suggesting it. Do not take it personally.
- Give them information on where to get help and offer to go with them if and when they agree to go.
- If your friend has a serious problem and they refuse to get help, consider talking to their parents, a counselor, teacher or someone in authority at the school. The consequences of not getting help are too dangerous to ignore.
No matter how much you care and how hard you try, it is up to your friend to agree to get help and follow through with recovery. You can only provide support and encouragement.
