How do I help them change?

It can be difficult to know what to do when someone close to you may be drinking or using drugs in a way which seems harmful.

You may want to try the following:

Talk to the person. It is more effective to talk when they are sober or not under the influence of drugs and when things are calm.

Tell them that you are worried and care about them.

Tell them about the problems that you see that the drinking/drug use are causing.

Try not to be drawn into an argument, even if they react badly.

Be consistent. Don't make threats you won't be able to carry out. Don't say one thing and do another.

Don't make it easier for them to drink or use drugs, by giving them money, buying alcohol or drugs for them, or going drinking with them.

Don't cover for them, by phoning work with excuses for them, cleaning up after them, or missing social events in case of possible embarrassment.

Talk to other family members or friends so that you can all have the same approach with the drinker/drug user.

Changing is difficult. You can't expect things to be different straight away. By helping someone realise their drinking / drug use is causing problems, you can help them to cut down or stop drinking.

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