Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

I'm concerned about someone in my life and his or her alcohol or drug use. How do I approach them about it?

17 Answers
Last Updated: 05/02/2022 at 8:53pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
Greece
Moderated by

Johanna Liasides, MSc, PhDc

Psychologist

I work with youth and young adults to help them improve depressive symptoms and self-esteem as well as effectively address family, relationship and peer conflicts.

Top Rated Answers
Peter
January 16th, 2017 7:03am
Think about what you are going to say. Maybe write down a plan, and work out what you want to achieve by talking with them. Remember to listen to this person, be compassionate and understanding to what they are going through. Always keep calm and collective, even when things get tough. Make your feelings clear and heard
Anonymous
January 25th, 2016 7:44pm
Showing that person that you care is the best thing you can do for them. Often times just offering them a shoulder to lean on is really enough to help them out. You can ask them about their alcohol /drug use, but don't pry too much because it will make them feel like you don't accept them. If they want the support they will usually try to talk to you. If they aren't an adult reaching out to an adult in their life can also be helpful if they are in medical danger.
SpencerT
December 28th, 2014 6:18am
With caution. Discuss the concern with people you're mutually close with, for example if it's a member of your family, with other family members. If the person in your life isn't ready for help or is in denial about his or her usage, I would contact a health professional. Approaching people in a confrontational way can have severe outcomes.
OneRaceOneLove
January 1st, 2015 1:32am
Never judge! Approach them with love. Be there for every step. Tell them how much you care about them.
NinaBee
May 2nd, 2022 8:53pm
First of all, it's wonderful that you care and want to help! You can be so proud of yourself for that! Approaching someone with substance abuse issues can be difficult and intimidating. Bringing the subject up in a quiet, private setting can be helpful, and gently but clearly voicing your concern for the person. Maybe something like "Hey, I noticed that you [use this whenever that happens] and the amount/frequency of it makes me feel worried about you. I care for you and want to see you flourish." It can also help to suggest a few solutions and ask them which one they would like to try. Showing your support and your willingness to help is the first step of showing that you are a safe person to go to!
Wideawake4Life
October 22nd, 2014 5:57pm
I would attempt to approach them with humility. I would establish or confirm the relationship that we have. For example, "You and I have been friends for sometime. And you know that I care about you and your life and you know that I want the best things for your life, Right?" So, I would share my concern like, "I am concerned about alcohol usage and I fear that it will have a negative affect on you. I would like for you to get help. Will you consider getting help?" That's my 2 cents. :)
UnderstandingEars2252
February 21st, 2022 1:30pm
Substance abuse is really hard because the abuser knows that it's not good for them when you get lost in a Perpetual cycle of guilt shame and drug abuse all thing you can do for someone who's suffering like this he's encouraged them to get help and love them unconditionally tell them that are concerned and tell them that you don't know how to approach them and if they don't hear you then have an intervention with all the people in that person's support system there are many different types techniques for rehabilitation so you just have to kind of look in your area if they do decide to gethelp
BeatingHeart100
December 3rd, 2018 3:44pm
Alcohol and drugs are used when someone is looking for an escape. What are they escaping from? Do you know? Try to talk to them without sounding like you are condemning them. People respond best when they don't feel criticized. Approach it from a non judgmental angle and describe your feelings. It's really up to them if they want to change. You can't make someone do something, they have to want to do it themselves. See if you can stir up a need to have a different lifestyle. Find reasons why living life sober is better than drunk/high. Here's one reason to get you started: you remember your loved ones and the people most important to you when sober, but not when high. There's a lot of reasons you can find but only the reasons they think are important will really sink in.
soothingDew84
July 27th, 2015 7:05am
You can start by telling them how you feel about it. You could say it concerns you or makes you feel uncomfortable. Maybe you are worried about them and any negative impacts it may be having on their or your life. Maybe you are concerned that the will not be able to stop and it could become a dangerous habit to them. Tell them your concerns. Maybe you could offer to spend time with them and do some healthy things together like go get some ice cream or kick a soccer ball around.
Anonymous
April 22nd, 2015 4:55pm
The main idea here is to not judge or accuse or look down upon this person for having an addiction. An approach I use is to first start the conversation by telling the individual how much you care, that you really enjoy the fact that they are in your life, and that you want them to continue to be in your life. These positive messages are more likely to encourage the person to stay and listen to what you have to say - they put them in a comfortable place. Then I would address the addiction by stating that you feel that the addiction may not allow them to continue to effectively remain in your life. Express your fear - make the conversation, in a way, about you, how his or her behavior affects you. The relationship is very important to "you" - emphasize this and how you would be crushed if the relationship took a turn for the worse because of the addiction. I hope this is of some help.
TheDude83
December 22nd, 2014 1:00pm
In my experience, a direct approach is the best way to bring this topic up. No sugar coating just really taking about it straight forward and making the face the truth with facts but at the same time offer them support and help.
ImperfectlyPerfect
December 8th, 2014 7:50pm
I think that, if you are sure that there seems to be a problem, confrontation is key. Dropping hints and such can be ineffective.
Anonymous
December 3rd, 2014 11:58pm
You can raise the issue in a kind, non-jugemental way. But as an alcoholic and addict, I know that for many of us, wanting to stop is a decision that we have to make for ourselves--once we reach the point where the pain of change is less than the pain of staying the same.
Spiderman93
November 24th, 2014 12:43pm
Let them know you care about them and their well being. Letting them know you are concerned and that you care, may be exactly what they need.
CustomYoshi
November 23rd, 2014 2:09pm
Explain to them your concern and say you want to help, drugs and alcohol is one of the biggest killers and you don't want to see this person gradually kill themselves. People who binge drink are certain that they're not alcoholics when really they sometimes are, help by taking this person to one side and explain what they're doing to themselves, don't announce this to other friends though, keep the conversation between you and the other person. Hopefully this helps :)
TurtleTurtle
November 18th, 2014 9:40am
Try approaching them with a related subject suck as a smell, or burnt cloths, or even something as far off as just hanging out in general.
Janz4528
November 10th, 2014 10:21pm
You should talk to them about what are they doing with their life, how it affects the people that surrounds them and how it may affect them to as social and physically