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How to Help a Friend |
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You don’t need to be an expert to notice that someone you care about has an issue with alcohol. This article will help you identify and approach someone you feel may be at risk.
What to Look For?
Most students drink alcohol moderately and responsibly. However, there are several signs that a person’s drinking may be unhealthy or dangerous.
If you notice several or even a couple of the following trait in a friend, they may have a problem with alcohol.
- Decline in academic performance, including missing classes, failing to hand in assignments, and in some cases attending classes hung-over or intoxicated
- Changed in work habits, such as lateness, missing work completely or loss of job due to the effects of alcohol
- Change in social behaviour, no longer enjoying the same activities
- Increased desire for social events to include alcohol
- Isolation from family and friends
- Increased spending on alcohol, resulting in financial difficulties
- Over consumption of alcohol to the point of physical illness or blacking out
- Dangerous and uncharacteristic behaviour while intoxicated
- Has sustained physical injuries while intoxicated
- Violent behaviour while intoxicated
This list is intended to create awareness of the warning signs associated with alcohol abuse. Use your best judgment. If you feel that your friend in experiencing difficulties with alcohol, it is important that you don’t approach this alone; seek a counselor on campus or other friends for support.
What to do?
When a friend’s relationship with alcohol endangers their own or another’s well-being, discuss the concern with your friend. Here are some guidelines to help open the line of communication once you have decided to approach your friend:
Plan what to say – before you meet with your friend; think about what you want to say and how to say it. Approach the conversation with a list of concerns and possible solutions.
Have an open discussion – Invite your friend for a private conversation in a comfortable setting, where there is no alcohol, to ensure you have his or her full attention. Without being critical or judgmental, have an honest discussion regarding your concerns and desire to help improve the situation.
Be a good listener - Allow your friend to speak candidly, and respond with compassion and without judgment.
Be considerate and avoid accusation – Laying blame will put your friend on the defence. Be considerate of the situation. If the discussion becomes tense and frustrating, calmly suggest that it be continued at another time.
Anticipate denial - Denial is a natural reaction when confronted with an issue that is not seen as a problem. Do not force your friend to seek professional help, they may not be ready. Problems with alcohol abuse can take years to resolve, but broaching the topic and letting them know that you care and are willing to talk is an important first step.
Approaching a friend about excessive drinking is not easy. It can be a very stressful endeavour. If you find the pain and stress caused by seeing you friend in trouble is affecting your daily life, you may want to consider speaking with a counselor.
Helping a friend that’s had to much to drink
What you do to help depends on the state of your friend. Your friend doesn’t have to be passed out of physically ill to need your help. Look for other signs of intoxication, including the following:
- Inability to maintain balance or eye contact
- Slurred speech
- Shortness of breath
- Abnormal body temperature (either too hot or too cold)
If you observe any of these symptoms in your friend, but are not sure whether to get medical help, play it safe and call 911. If you do not feel it’s necessary to seek medical attention, here are six tips to help you manage the situation.
1. Stop you friend from drinking more alcohol
2. Find a quiet place for your friend to sit and relax
3. Make sure that your friend stays warm, since a high Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) can lower body temperature
4. Offer your friend water and food if it will help stabilize his or her stomach, but remember only time will reduce BAC and help a person sober up
5. If your friend wants to lie down, put them in the BACCHUS position
6. Once asleep, monitor your friend to ensure hat his or her breathing is not shallow or slow
Friends helping friends
It’s easy to have fun when you are at a pub with friends and it’s also easy to look out for and take care of each other. Here are a few basic rules to ensure that you and your friends have a fun and safe night out.
- Watch each other’s drinks to ensure they don’ get switched or spiked
- If a friend has had enough, offer them water instead of buying another drink – you’re looking gout for their best interest
- Don’t let a friend leave with someone they met while drinking – their judgment may be impaired and could lead to a regrettable or unsafe situation
- Stick together – don’t leave a friend behind to get home on his or her own
Articles brought to you by BACCHUS Canada. www.bacchusmembers.com
