[RoxStar]

How can I help a friend that wont listen to any advice? One of my friends has a drinking problem to which she has now gotten fired from her part time job as a bartender because of it. She calls out of her full time job all the time because she got loaded the night before. How do I talk to her when she wont listen. She is in complete denial!

[tattoomytoe]

sometimes the "best thing" is the hardest thing to do.

That being letting your friend hit rock bottom. hopefully it will not be a long way down, and will not kill your friend either.

maybe sit her down tell her your feelings, let her know you will help, if she is really willing to geth help, if not....then there is nothing you can do.

it is up to her to change her habits, want to get help. and bugging her may push her to drink in spite....so be careful and good luck!

[glitter-gal]

I totally agree... My father was an alcoholic and there is nothing, I mean nothing, you can do unless they want to help themself. All it took for my Dad to check into detox was me telling him I'd never again come for summer visits if he didn't quit drinking. (I grew up living with my mom after they divorced.)

The best advice I can give you is to state your position to your friend clearly- That you think the best thing for her is to quit drinking. Tell her if she wants to quit or get help you will stand by her 100% and until then you will continue to be her friend.

Then don't go out partying with her either. If she wants to go out and drink, just don't go with her or she'll think you are supporting her drinking. Don't let her wallow in how bad she feels when she calls you hung over the next day, listen to her gripe for maybe 5 min, tell her you are sorry she feels bad but she did it to herself.

Take her out to do things that don't involve alcohol & maybe she'll realize life sober is waaaay better than life constantly hungover.

Don't be too pushy or overbearing, she will drink more because of it.

There are probably some underlying problems that lead her to drinking so much in the first place... she should deal with those, maybe you can get her to open up to you?? (Careful though, if you pry too mcuh she could shut you out)

I hope this helps...

[shamen]

Do a search online for Al-Anon. They are a part of Alcoholics Anonymous, but for the friends/family of alcoholics. It's a great site for figuring out how to deal with this on your end...

[shamen]

Here's a link.... http://www.al-anon.org