Desperate to help a friend

[Marshmallowbrain]

Can anyone point me in the right direction to get professional help for an alcoholic friend who is also suffering with bad mental health.

The situation has got out of control now and as friends we can't keep her in check and help. Her family live far away and her close group of friends aren't really close by and we just can't manage it. She lives alone and I'm worried sick. She needs professional help and I don't know where to turn.

Does she accept she's an alcoholic and want to stop and have help? If not nothing to be done.

Her GP will help her but it only works if she is seeking help. Friends of alcoholics can’t help by keeping people in check. Look up the 3 c of alcoholism.

She needs to seek professional help herself. And to really want to change.

She knows she has an issue and agrees she needs professional help when she's had a blip, but as soon as she's out of it she won't. She's been pretending she's been going to AA meetings which we found out wasn't true. She'll do good for a week or 2 tops then back on a bender.

Sounds like she isn’t ready to change. Sadly she may never be.

Sorry OP but there's nothing you can do to help her.

It can only come from her. She knows where to go for help.

Refuse to see her if she's drunk or drinking. Only talk with her if she's sober.

Totally agree with BMW6. There is absolutely nothing you can do. She will only seek help when she reaches rock bottom and I;ve seen rock bottom in a friend and it isn’t pretty. Alcoholics always lie and draw you into their web of deceit. Trying to help her will make you ill so make sure you look after yourself.

My oldest friend has been an alcoholic for around 20 years. We did interventions, tried to support her, encouraged counselling/supports groups. Eventually we had to take a step back and accept she doesn't want to stop at this point.

Unfortunately you can't do anything about this at all and that's what a lot of people find so frustrating. Alcoholics can do the talk but the test is whether they can actually follow through.

I would step away to be honest and let them know why. If other people could help alcoholics, there wouldn't be any alcoholics.