To think this is a drug problem?

[geordie30]

One of my very good friends witnessed a very traumatic event a few years ago (fatal rta) and since then her behaviour seems to have gone downhill.
She had a brilliant job and was doing really well but after this event she started using cocaine more and more regularly. A few of us within the friendship group spoke to her and explained we were worried as she was missing work all the time, looked a mess and semed to be partying frequently, did she need counselling or help? She said no but she understood the concerns.
She eventually left her job, she said she had resigned but I honestly think she jumped before she was pushed as her attendance was so bad.
Then she started to say she had various immune system illnesses to explain why she was tired and aching all the time, also this was used as an excuse to stay in bed.
It is worth pointing out that no doctor has ever diagnosed any illness,despite numerous tests being run.
Anyway things seemed to calm down as she found another job and seemed to be getting back to normal.
In the last few weeks she has fallen out with another person in our friendship group. The other person rang me and explained its because she is worrying again about her behaviour, she has witnessed her taking drugs through the day (when other friend turned up at her house to pick something up and she wasn't expecting her) and lots of un savoury people at her house etc. This has then caused a massive row.
After the conversation I now believe the drug taking etc has never stopped just she has been good at hiding it, it certainly explains the new group of frends who have appeared on the scene recently.
I'm not sure what to do, should I talk to her again or leave her to it? I'm in a job that means I cannot be around drugs so it's making me uneasy.
Am I right to think she has an addiction?

I fucking hate drugs. My dd started taking recreational drugs occasional when she was at university. She lied constantly about it.
Maybe you could try again and talk to her, let her know you are worried about her. My dd was unrecognizable from the person she was with drug taking.
Good luck.

She probably does, her use seems to be problematic at the very least. However if she doesn't recognise it and direct why to make changes there is nothing you can do. You just choose whether to be around her or not

Talk to her and then distance yourself from her destruction. The sooner she hits rock bottom the better. Only she can save herself and you can't risk your own security by continuing to associate with her.

Using cocaine during the day is almost definitely a sign of an addiction. Cocaine isn't physically addictive but it is often treated as a crutch as it, albeit temporarily, lifts your mood and gives you heightened focus (often helpful if you are suffering depression which is making it hard to get things done). You can therefore become dependant on it to function.

Your best bet, in my humble opinion, is to let your friend know that you're thinking of her and that you're there if she wants to talk. Challenging her is likely to provoke a negative reaction and the last thing she needs is to be pushing away the people she, ultimately, might need to rely on.

She sounds like she has a drug problem. You can either decide to remain her friend and watch her fall apart and be as supportive as you can or distance yourself. Either way what will be, will be and it will be heartbreaking to watch.

It's so difficult, I feel that she needs to make her own choices and I can't tell her what to do but on the other hand I want to be a good friend. It's awful to watch the new people who have appeared seem to be enablers which is hardly going to help her.