I have a very close friend that is a borderline alcoholic. Or should I say her motive is to be an alcoholic. She drinks about every other day, and even though her body can’t take it, she still over dose it, letting her self know that it is the only way her body will get used to it (She pukes every time). She also has a habit of taking Nyquil unnecessarily, especially after drinking, which is really dangerous.
I've tried talking to her a few times to find out if there is something bothering her, but she has never expressed anything. When I try to tell her its not good for her, I don't have an issue with her drinking once in a while for fun but to make it something to rely on daily isn't good, she responds that its her life, shes not hurting anyone else, she can do whatever she wants. And the things she says when she is in the state of drunk are really harsh. She's generally a very mean drunk.
Her parents or family isn't aware of this, and I'm not sure if I should reach out to them, since its a big deal in desi society esp towards girls. I had a hard talk with her a few days ago, because I myself had enough of her obnoxious behavior when drunk, and I myself came off harsh but I had to. She didn't take it well, and has been very distant and quiet to me. It really bothers me because I care for her as a sister, and I rather know what she's doing than not knowing the harms she is doing without my knowledge. I'm not sure what I can do to help her.
Any Advice would be appriciated!
NOBODY can help her but herself. She WILL not change her behavior because you or anyone else asks her to. Alcoholics, addicts, will only make a change in their lifestyle once they hit rock bottom so what you can do is be available to her, be there for her when she does, and she will, hit rock bottom. Then you can help her pick up the pieces and get her help but until then, she WILL not accept any help. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem
I agree with Aahmed on this one. It's unfortunate, but if her motive is to become an alcoholic, and she's doing everything she can to build up her tolerance for alcohol, at that point there really isn't much you can do. You've tried talking to her.
I don't think going to her family would be a good thing for her. It'd hurt her more than it would help. Trying to force someone out of an addiction is just asking for them to fall harder.
Being there for her and trying to figure out why she's doing what she's doing is all you can do. Is she doing it because of something that happened? or is she really** just** trying to build up her tolerance?
Being there for an angry drunk is a hard job. Especially if it's someone you care about. You want to be there for them but when they say/ do certain things, it makes you want to just leave them where ever they are how ever they are. But, hopefully, if you hang in there with her and remind her when she's sober that you're still there for her despite everything she says and does, it'll make her realize how bad she's screwing up her relationships with someone who really cares about her.
Might be a dumb question, but would she be influenced by religion at all?
Did she start drinking very suddenly? Out of control drinking combined with taking unnecessary medication points to a serious underlying issue - has she had mental health issues in the past? Like depression maybe? I know it's hard but I would definitely tell someone from her family. If not a parent, an older sibling, or someone who will not lose it when they find out she's drinking. She needs professional counseling right away.
As a friend you can try to find out what is causing this - an unsuccessful relationship/heartbreak, pressures at work, or it could be just a desire to "fit in" with the wrong crowd.
persuade her to seek help at a Detox Centre for a full recovery. but, first you have to convince her that she has a problem and she needs to get rid of it for her own good. give her a pep talk
Is there a reason why she's doing all of this? Like depression?
I doubt people just wake up and say they want to chug down alcohol like it's water.
If so, then try to get her some counseling.
Make a video of what she's like when shes drunk and show it to her. Ask her how she feels about it. Ask her what her ideal situation would be, what does she want her life to be like so that she doesn't have to drink. See what kind of response u get and then go from there. Involve someone from her family, someone u can trust, someone who will not tell everyone about it but will try to help discreetly.