To ask how to tell someone

[GladAllOver]

that they are drinking too much - or should I keep quiet?

I've noticed that a good friend is drinking more than she used to. I've not seen her falling-over drunk but she seems to always have a bottle within reach. Having known someone who died from alcohol poisoning I'm worried that she might be heading the same way.

Should I say something to her or not? She's likely to be offended and it might harm our friendship. But I don't want to see her become dependent on alcohol, if she isn't already.

Hi, maybe don't initially mention the drinking incase she shuts down completely. But remember that the excess drinking - any addiction for that matter is the symptom or rather the thing she maybe using to deal with/blot out whatever is causing her the pain.
So maybe you could chat about life in general first.

I think ask first about her wellbeing, is she doing ok. Then, in the context of a close and caring relationship I would say, at a meeting specifically for that purpose, I think I am risking our friendship by saying this, but if I am seeing what I think I am seeing, then I can't be a friend and say nothing - I think you are drinking too much.

You can mention that you are concerned, but if she is dependent then there is nothing you can do or say unless she agrees and wants to get help.

Thanks for your advice.
We share our problems in confidence, so I do know what's on her mind. I don't think there's anything severe enough to make her turn to alcohol as a support, it's just a slow but continuous increase in use. I'll continue to monitor but will only mention it carefully if/when there's an opportunity.