Help a Friend

Friendship requires one thing above all else: honesty. If you have a friend that is using drugs or alcohol, you may be the only person who can help them. It's never easy to tell someone that they need help but that's what being a good friend is all about. It's important that you take responsibility and build up the courage to talk to them about their drug use or drinking. If you won't, who will?

My Friend Has a Problem
Maybe your friend has been letting you down because he's using drugs. Or maybe some of the things he does when he is drunk or high are just scary. Whatever it is, the important thing is that you've noticed that your friend might be heading for trouble.

You can help your friend now — before something really bad happens. Your friend will probably insist that his or her drinking or drug use is not a big deal. This is very common among people with drug or alcohol problems. Don't let your friend's denial keep you from talking with him. If he continues using, he could face serious consequences like getting caught or arrested, losing his drivers' license, getting suspended, or more severely, getting involved in a drug or alcohol-related car crash or becoming dependant.

Should I Help?
Many of us are afraid to discuss serious issues with our friends because we fear being rejected. It is not easy to tell a friend or loved one that they have a problem.

However, what are the alternatives? If you don't discuss a friend's drug or drinking problem with them now, the friendship might change forever. That means no more late night conversations, no more shoulders to cry on, no more laughs, no more holidays together, etc.

No one ever thinks that trying or casually using drugs is going to lead to a life-threatening addiction. That's the reason why substance abuse is so complex…no one thinks they're going to be the one with the problem. Yet, millions of people suffer and die from drug addiction every year.

Visit www.FREEVIBE.com for action steps on how to help a friend or sibling.

Source: Freevibe.com