How to Help a Friend With a Drug Problem

It can be one of the most heartbreaking ordeals of your life: watching a friend you so dearly care for going through the devastating trials of a drug dependency. Watching a friend struggle through something so difficult is tough, and the only thing you as a friend can do is try to help and support them.

Things You'll Need

• patience
• love
• friendship

Instructions

Helping a Friend With a Drug Problem

1. Calmly approach your friend and try to have a discussion about the situation they are in. If your friend is not willing to admit that they have a problem, then your task is a lot harder. Tell them calmly and in a non-judgmental manner that you love them, are deeply concerned about them, and want to help them out of the situation they are currently going through. Don't approach them like a "schoolteacher" or make them feel like they are in "trouble." Make them aware that you are coming to them as a friend who cares about them.

2. Talk to your friend's family. Although your friend might not appreciate this at first, if their family isn't already aware of the situation, they should be. Your friend might not be able to communicate the downward spiral they are going through to their family. They might be afraid to tell their family what kind of trouble they are in. Or perhaps, your friend isn't even in a state to speak to their family (or anyone for that matter) about their problem. Opening the gateways of communication between yourself and your friend's family will enable you all to help your friend out of their problem together.

3. Show your friend there is more to life than drugs. Perhaps your friend turned to drugs because of loneliness or unhappiness. Try to show your friend that there is more to life than succumbing to addiction and despair. Find activities you can both do together (activities that don't revolve around drugs or alcohol). Go to the movies, play sports, watch TV together. Be a positive role model to your friend.

4. Talk to your friend about what they want to do with their life. Talk about careers and education with your friend. Encourage them to focus on their life goals and not their drug addiction. Express to them that drug addiction slows down everything in life, career progress, relationships, everything. Motivate them to get moving with the things that are most important to them. Be your friend's cheerleader! As a friend, you can be the best guidance counselor ever.

5. Leave open the possibility of rehabilitation centers. If your friend's situation doesn't seem to improve, you might need to bring up the possibility of drug rehab. Although your friend might bristle or get angry to you at the mention, it could very well be necessary. Rehab might very well be the wake-up call your friend needs to get their life back in order. The structure, isolation, and discipline of such a place might work better than any kind of tough love and care a friend can offer.

Tips & Warnings

• Show your friend examples of other people who have overcome drug abuse and prevailed. This could help them see the light and stop their drug abusing ways. Many celebrities, for instance singer Fergie (crystal meth addiction) have survived and conquered drug addiction. Give positive examples and role models!

• If your friend has friends that encourage the drug culture, it might be a tougher job to help your friend out. Be patient in this situation. No matter how hard it might seem, you will have to attempt to get your friend away from those that enable drug addictive behaviors.

• When you give your friend "tough love," they might resent you at first. That might be hard for you, but you have to be strong for your friend's sake. They will thank you for the tough love in the end.