How do you support a drunk?

You can not support a drunk. The only way to help a drunk is to kick him out. A drunk will keep drinking, lie, cheat, steal, do everything for a drink. I had a relationship with one for over 8 years and let him ruin my life and the life of my kids. A drunk will learn nothing if you keep helping him out. He has to have a good reason to ask for help, to get sober and to face his problems.

Do you want to support his habit, or to support him in quitting his habit? If you want to help him quit, then maybe suggest therapy. Alternatively, you could read about how to help him break his drinking habit and help him yourself without taking him to a therapist. It just depends on how much you value your friend.

Be honest that you care for him and you are afraid he may kill himself or others. If he drinks in your presence do not let him drive away. If all else fails and he is driving while under the influence, then call the authorities.

I don't really think that there is a way to support a drunk. It is not your responsibility to help them. They are an adult and make their own choices. I think the only thing that you can do is tell them that you do not accept them drinking and that they need to make the decision that they can stop the drinking, or they will lose a friend. I have had several people do this with me. And sadly, they often choose the drink over the friendship.

That's a real shame that your friend has started drinking again. To be honest I'm a real fan of the tough love approach. Drag them to an AA meeting, refuse point blank to speak to them until they get it under control. That kind of thing. That's what I'd suggest doing personally. But I know that can be hard also..

One aspect you may want to consider is that maybe this person is drinking because he has a void in his life, and the drinking habit fills that or numbs a problem. It depends on how close you are to this friend; if you're really close perhaps you could have an intimite talk and find out what it is that is driving this person to drink. Perhaps finding out what he is drinking for, might help to replace this drinking habit with a healthier habit of some other kind.

In my opinion, you can't and you shouldn't! To support him would be far too much stress for you, and as you said, you can hardly get rid of him. Just explain to him that his drinking puts far too much stress on you, and it would be better if you all not see eachother anymore. We did this recently with someone in our apartment building, and our life has been so much simpler ever since we got rid of him.

I have a friend this way....I love her to pieces but her drinking sometimes becomes embarassing....but I am still her friend...talk to her when she calls and once in a while have to check up on her.....I know it's hard but we all have faults.

That is really a question many people rather tended to beat themselves right up over for years and years. It is hard to see a person self destruct right next to you. To look at them and see the downfall that they have had. There are times where their drinking is just going to spiral out of all control to say the very least. And it is just an uncomfortable train wreck to start. They do need help but convincing someone with such problems that they need help is really no easy task. Those who have problems and are stubborn, that can really just be something where it really just is frustrating. There is a good reason why many have just washed their hands of family members and friends who develop such vices. Because it is an insane amount of stress to deal with.

Good evening dear mylloter friend GreenMoo , hmmm this is a pretty fragille subject , the fact that he had a history with alcohoolism and had solved by been sober for several years , it tells me that bck then he might of found a reason to hold on to aand to keep fighting to get back in society as a normal person , and the recent starting of repeting hes past behavior , restartin g drinking might be a sign of maybe something is wrong , maybe he has some financial problems or personal , i dont hurry up to give an advice , because i am a young person , and i have not yet acumulated enough experience to help you with this , but what id might suggest is to frankly shoot the question , just ask him " Hey whats going on with you , you seem to drink more and more , and it becomes a problem . Well i just hope you cann reach to him , and show him you care and that you'd like to see the person before , the person who was sober and had a different character before that , tell him you trully miss that person , whom knows , maybe this will reach to him and motivate him a little bit. I wish you all the luck and the best in the world dear friend. HosmanF. Have a nice evening...

Dear GreenMoo,If you really care about your friend you should be upfront and tell him to stop his drinking problems.Have the courage to stop and make him understand that drnking will make him only worst.If he has a problem he should start fix it instead of being a drunk.