helping a friend

[Scotty_Aussie87]

Hi,

I have a female friend who binge drinks almost every weekend on both friday and satrday nights if she can, I have asked her about why she drinks and she has told me she likes the feeling, likes the escape. she is not a Christian, however her dad is a pastor so she does have christian influences and upbringing. What i'd like to ask is as her friend should i be trying to help her break this cycle? as i am sure binge drinking like that is harmful to her. She is an ex girlfriend and we are not best of friends anymore but i still dont feel like i should just watch someone do this to themselves. so should i help? and how should i go about it?

 

[Scotty_Aussie87]

umm maybe i'll reword my question, knowing that she is 19 and does not hold Christian beliefs do you think that i should attempt to do something about her binge drinking on the weekends. not just her but alot of my friends do this, some stop after a few but she is one who consistantly gets trashed, i suppose what i want to ask is should i just let them enjoy this teenage binging and think nothing of it or from your experiences with alcohol do you think their abuse of alcohol now is going to lead them to develop problems with alcohol later on. And if so would their be anything one could do to offer advise or aid?

 

[Ruth~]

Sounds like she either has a problem or one is developing. We really can't make anyone stop. The only thing I would tell her is that you think she may have a problem that she should seek help for. I say that because it sounds like you don't want to get deeply involved with her anymore. Also, praying for her is a good idea, you probably know that already. It is good of you to want to help her but it's a hard situation. I have have watched many with drinking problems and have had my own, too. People had made comments to me. I was sort of forced to quit drinking but at the same time realized I had a problem and needed to. Good luck with her.

 

[PrairieGurl]

I'm sure with each person reading your post, you could get alot of different answers. As someone who's "been there, done that", I must say @ age 19 (and even later in life) I was not willing or ready to hear someone say I had a drinking problem. You sharing with her is a good idea though. Even if she does not agree or respond you have made your concern clear. I agree praying for your friend is VERY important, just remember, ONLY if she admits she has a problem, wants or is willing to change...she will end up going down the slippery slope of "problem drinking" It took many years for me to admitt I had a problem (that I am an alcoholic) and a bit longer to reach for help at a detox center...I am grateful now to those who were concerned enough to tell me I had a drinking problem. Do you have an Alanon in your area? They have really great information for people who have friends and family with drinking "problems"

 

[IronWarrior]

I'm sure with each person reading your post, you could get alot of different answers. As someone who's "been there, done that", I must say @ age 19 (and even later in life) I was not willing or ready to hear someone say I had a drinking problem. You sharing with her is a good idea though. Even if she does not agree or respond you have made your concern clear. I agree praying for your friend is VERY important, just remember, ONLY if she admits she has a problem, wants or is willing to change...she will end up going down the slippery slope of "problem drinking" It took many years for me to admitt I had a problem (that I am an alcoholic) and a bit longer to reach for help at a detox center...I am grateful now to those who were concerned enough to tell me I had a drinking problem. Do you have an Alanon in your area? They have really great information for people who have friends and family with drinking "problems"

I had a drinking problem around that age and into my early 20's as well I would go out on Friday/Saturday every single week and get smashed to the point of not remembering what I did the nite before! very scary...alcohol 'when you ingest enough' releases endorphins which give you that 'feel good effect' and alot of people become addicted to that! overtime they need to ingest more and more to reach that same feeling which can lead to them becoming a full blown alcoholic! I myself got to that point! it got so bad I was drinking 12 or so beers before I even got a buzz 2-3 no longer cut it! I now only have a glass of wine at xmas and thats it! about 5 years ago something came over me and told me to stop! NOW! and I did! as I began to read the bible more and more I began to understand the importance of living a 'clean' life e.t.c.. and I'am now a changed person! god bless! good luck with your friend! and stick by her side she needs your help! but she also has to understand she has a problem that will become serious one day if it keeps up!