2008 Woodie Awards
Beacon "De-Briefing" Health Column
Issue date: 10/20/05 Section: Lifestyle
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Q: If I think a friend has a problem with alcohol, how should I approach him or her about it?
A: Here are some questions to ask yourself about your friend's behavior: Does he or she:
* regularly turn papers in late or perform poorly on tests due to consumption of alcohol?
* use alcohol as a medicine to help cope with stress or emotions?
* prioritize drinking over being with family or friends?
* drink to become drunk as quickly as possible?
* have legal or academic problems related to alcohol?
* try (unsuccessfully) to cut back on his/her alcohol use?
* annoy people with his/her drinking?
* want to drink often and/or hide drinking?
* feel guilty about things that happen while drinking?
* drink and drive?
* experience blackouts (total memory loss for a period of time)?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your friend probably has a problem with alcohol.
What to do is a harder question to answer. It depends on your relationship with your friend and your comfort level in talking with him/her about a serious issue. If you feel comfortable talking with him/her, you should first discuss the situation with a knowledgeable third party, such as someone from the Counseling Center, the Center for Health and Wellness or your Residence Director. This person can help you figure out how to best handle the situation.
Next, know your resources. Go into the conversation knowing which on-campus and community resources your friend can turn to for help, like those previously mentioned or your local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter.
Choose a time when he/she is sober or else the conversation won't go well. When you address your friend, try to keep it personal-talk about specific instances or behaviors you have witnessed that have caused your concern. Talk about how his/her drinking affects you. You should expect some resistance from your friend. The first talk that you have probably won't be the last. Remember that change takes time.
A: Here are some questions to ask yourself about your friend's behavior: Does he or she:
* regularly turn papers in late or perform poorly on tests due to consumption of alcohol?
* use alcohol as a medicine to help cope with stress or emotions?
* prioritize drinking over being with family or friends?
* drink to become drunk as quickly as possible?
* have legal or academic problems related to alcohol?
* try (unsuccessfully) to cut back on his/her alcohol use?
* annoy people with his/her drinking?
* want to drink often and/or hide drinking?
* feel guilty about things that happen while drinking?
* drink and drive?
* experience blackouts (total memory loss for a period of time)?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your friend probably has a problem with alcohol.
What to do is a harder question to answer. It depends on your relationship with your friend and your comfort level in talking with him/her about a serious issue. If you feel comfortable talking with him/her, you should first discuss the situation with a knowledgeable third party, such as someone from the Counseling Center, the Center for Health and Wellness or your Residence Director. This person can help you figure out how to best handle the situation.
Next, know your resources. Go into the conversation knowing which on-campus and community resources your friend can turn to for help, like those previously mentioned or your local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter.
Choose a time when he/she is sober or else the conversation won't go well. When you address your friend, try to keep it personal-talk about specific instances or behaviors you have witnessed that have caused your concern. Talk about how his/her drinking affects you. You should expect some resistance from your friend. The first talk that you have probably won't be the last. Remember that change takes time.