|
Is my friend an alcoholic?
Im 18 and my friend Ricci is 17. Basically, she 'likes' to drink. So, of course we will go out and drink with friends but I am not to fussed if I drink or not, also, when I do drink, I only have a few (2-3) and then go home. Ricci feels the need to get drunk all the time and if we arn't doing anything, then she wants to drink but if we can not afford to drink or we have no way to the liquor shop and back, then she gets in a bad mood and it is quite embarrassing when people are around. I also do not know how to talk to her about it. Im just worried about her, I don't want her to be an alcoholic when she's older.
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Relationships category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Friendship?
Any time something becomes an all encompassing part of ones life to the exclusion of everything else it can be considered an addiction. The fact that you are both under the legal age to have alcohol or to consume alcohol makes her possible addiction all the worse. Is it also possible you two and specifically Ricci has been drinking well before your current ages?
There is a reason there is a minimum age for the consumption of spirits and you are seeing the major one. At your ages you are not, even though you may think you are, mature enough to drink responsibly. From what you have written Ricci certainly is not mature enough. Both of you in many states are also old enough to operate a motor vehicle. Is Ricci mature enough not to drink and drive? Or not to drive when she is so hung over she still can't see straight?
End of lecture; What I am about to advise your not going to like. Though if you have any feelings for your friend this is what you must do if you do not want to be attending her funeral. She may be able to hide her alcohol consumption from her parents but her parents have to know. Her parents have to intervene and get her medical help before it is to late and she does serious harm to herself or others. The worst thing she can do is kill someone while under the influence of alcohol. You can be legally sober and still be under the influence plus drinking while under age can brings a world of hurt upon her and her family. Whatever her expectations for life are can be ruined in an instant.
Yes she will tell you she hates you for telling her parents. What we can hope for is that this hate is a long, long, long hate.
People Ricci's age turn to alcohol for a reason. They drink to excess for a reason. There is a problem that she is battling with for which the alcohol brings on a numbness that allows her to feel something other than the hurt she is feeling. With proper medical help she can work through those problems and feel better about herself without the aid of a stimulant like alcohol.
So if you are truly her friend you will talk to her parents.
]
More Questions: |