A very good friend of mine is an alcoholic (she’s 26 years old). She has been for as long as i’ve known her and she’s been to rehab, lived in halfway houses, she’s been arrested for 2 DUI’s (this was before I knew her). Recently, the 2 year romantic relationship she was in dissolved (they are living together). This was mostly becauses of the alcoholism - she can go into rages when she drinks and has no real quality of life outside of bars/drinking. She also works in a bar.
The part where I come in (except that I desperately have wanted to help her for years and have extended support) is that now she’s accusing me having an affair with her ex-significant other. Although I am hurt, more importantly I’m scared of what these accusations represent - she’s totally paranoid (she’s shown signs of it in the past). I’m afraid years of heavy drinking have left with a mental disorder. I know I can’t commit her - or force her to get help… But I know she’ll die if she doesn’t. Any advice?
Well, it’s complicated… I am in the mental health field, and I know you can’t get help for someone against their will - she’s not NECESSARILY suicidal or homocidal, but I’d hate to see what happens if she takes a wrong turn. I guess I just wanted some support.
Safest thing for you is to remove yourself from the situation. You can call Alcoholics Anonymous and ask for help with an intervention. They have some counselors trained , not professional mind you , but life experience stuff. Go with them and introduce them to her. Also explain you can not continue this way. Let them help as it’s all different each case. Unless her family wants to help your hands are tied. If she gets violent call 911 immediately. I hate the jail idea but? Please be safe and help her next. Her husband seems to be failing her as is family. I wish I knew how to say how much it means that you care like this. Been there I guess. Violence cuts the cord sweetheart. I never went there myself but my men have. Tuff one. God bless. Call AA. Only thing I know of to get direct help. Al Anon? It’s a support group for others, sorry about the spelling 
Hang in there, someday she will know how much you love her.
What to do with a friend who has several alcoholism?
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August 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Seek help from a proper doctor. Yahoo answers is not a place for this as your friend seems to be on a very wrong path.
I hope all goes well with her.
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Just my thoughts…..infact I dont drink becoz alcohol is a very big factor in destroying many lives….and I dont want to support it.
August 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
There is not much you can do at this point. It’s a sad thing, to happen or even watch it happen to someone you care about. You can try a support group for yourself to help you deal with it.
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August 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 am
Safest thing for you is to remove yourself from the situation. You can call Alcoholics Anonymous and ask for help with an intervention. They have some counselors trained , not professional mind you , but life experience stuff. Go with them and introduce them to her. Also explain you can not continue this way. Let them help as it’s all different each case. Unless her family wants to help your hands are tied. If she gets violent call 911 immediately. I hate the jail idea but? Please be safe and help her next. Her husband seems to be failing her as is family. I wish I knew how to say how much it means that you care like this. Been there I guess. Violence cuts the cord sweetheart. I never went there myself but my men have. Tuff one. God bless. Call AA. Only thing I know of to get direct help. Al Anon? It’s a support group for others, sorry about the spelling
Hang in there, someday she will know how much you love her.
References :
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
This situation sounds really tough I think its awsome that you wont to help this friend of yours but I’m sure it will cost you speaking from experience my mother was an alcoholic and it destroyed our family your friend is the only one who can change this and its got to come from deep down inside her she can have all the support in the world but still keep on drinking she needs a reality check. please I cant stress this enough you have to have backup for yourself this will be a very bumpy ride but keep at her about the drinking and eventually it will catch up to her this will take time and patience all the best
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August 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
There is mental disorder associated with alcoholism called Otello syndrome which is unfounded jeallousy.
Paranoid delusion is a false conviction that cannot be persuaded, therefore you cannot do anything, other then run away from this person.
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