A good friend of mine is drinking too much. Her drinking has been happening for a few years, but during the last 2 it has become more problematic. I think that I (and my dh) are the only friends who know the 'warts and all' version of what is happening in my friends life.
My friend has admitted once that she is an alcoholic to us. And she claims that she had some help for a while.
What I need to know, is how friends and family deal with people who drink too much. I've read a bit about it and am aware that the person needs to get to that place where they want to stop drinking, rock bottom, and all that. God knows, I thought my friend had reached rock bottom on a couple of occasions, but apparently not.
On a practical level, what do I say to her if can see that she has been drinking at an inappropriate time e.g. school run, at work? Do I ignore it? Do I say something there and then? Do I wait 'til she's a bit more sober to say something?
We went out recently (with 1 other friend who knows nothing) and my friend claimed she wasn't drinking, but she was very, very drunk. I was so upset afterwards I haven't been able to speak to her for over a week and I feel awful about it. I just am scared of what I will say and scared of the lies that I will probably hear. I hate that my feelings towards her are now dominated by the alcohol.
Her drink problem is eating away at our friendship and I need to know what I can do to stop that happening.
Any advice would be very gratefully received - thanks.
PS. I have called Al-Anon but kept getting an answer machine over Christmas but will keep trying.