Helping a struggling alcoholic

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

I managed to sober up a little over a year ago. But one of my good friends seems to be slipping in and out of recovery, getting a few days here and there, then drinking again. I think the fact that he goes to some meetings and activities has slowed his use way down, but he's still struggling to shake the booze off for good.

Any ideas as to how he might be able to get a strong start for longer-term sobriety?

[NMDemDist2]

1. sadly, the odds are against him

most of us end up drunk according to the statistics

nothing you can do, he has to surrender, you can't do it for him.

all you can do is offer to sit with him BEFORE he picks up that first drink next time.

hang in there Karl, we can't save em all.

:hug:

[FloridaJudy]

2. Just be there for him if he asks for help.

You can't force anyone to get help - they have to want it.

Oh, and offering to take him to meetings might be appropriate. Don't press the issue, but leave the offer open.

As they say, "Carry the message, not the drunk".

[Kajsa]

3. Karl, let him know you are there

if he wants help.

Like AZ Dem and Judy said, your friend has to want this
or it won't work.

Hang in there, I know it's tough.

But I have seen more than one "hopeless" alcoholic/addict
get this program and stay sober.

I am one of them. :)

:hug:

[FloridaJudy]

4. Yup. Someone did that for me.

It took another year before I recognized that I needed help, but I was grateful to her.

[Stuart G]

5. Took me a very long time too..don't give up.

Be there. Someone was there for me too..

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

6. Thanks all...I'm meeting with him some time next week

I'll try to slip the issue in as non-forcefully as possible. Apparently a couple recovery buddies are also familiar with this guy. He seems to agree with us on this one: he's just having trouble getting some traction going with his sobiriety.