When evaluating your own drinking habits, it can be helpful to review these definitions:
1 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA}; 2020. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking
2 Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243
3 CASAColumbia. (2012) Addiction medicine: Closing the gap between science and practice.
Help a Friend with a Drinking Problem
If you think a friend has an alcohol problem, here are some tips on how you can help. Know you do not have to figure this out on your own! We have great supports and resources ready and available for you. Feel free to contact Cara Ludlow, Dawn Kepler or MSU CAPS for support. If you want to talk to your friend about your concerns, here are some great tips:
Talk to your Friend
Choose a quiet, private environment to talk to your friend. Avoid initiating the discussion when you are angry or upset. Also, be sure that your friend is sober. Use I-statements to convey your feelings and concerns such as ““I am worried about you” Or “I am concerned about how much you drink”. Keep the discussion focused on your observations; what you have seen or events that have happened. Remember to not judge or criticize, just listen. If you find yourself getting angry, tactfully end the conversation and initiate it another time when you are calmer. Periodic and brief conversations may work best.
Prepare for Defensiveness
Your friend may deny that there is a problem or may become defensive. Don’t take this personally; it’s often difficult to come to terms with substance use problems. Be persistent. It may take several attempts on your part before your friend is ready to talk about alcohol use. If you meet resistance and/or your relationship is beginning to suffer as a result of the friends drinking, share how that drinking is affecting you. For example, “I really like spending time with you when you are sober, when you are drinking though, I don’t enjoy it as much. I never know what is going to happen to you, or what you’ll end up doing or saying.”
Present Options
Even if your friend is not able to acknowledge that there is a problem, it is important to give your friend options. Provide a list of on- and off-campus local resources for your friend with an alcohol problem. Offer reassurance that you will assist the friend in getting them the support they need when they are ready.
Setting Limits
Friends with substance use issues can be difficult to be around and may even place you at risk of harm. Minimally, those friends can complicate your life and ruin more than a few evenings out. Minimize that effect by placing limits on when and how you spend time with your friend. Set limits you know you can stick to and then stick to them. Even if a friend is not ready to currently do anything about drinking, setting limits and sticking to them will help protect you and preserve the friendship, until they are ready to seek help.Spartans' Organization for All Recovery (SOAR) is MSU’s registered student organization for Spartans in recovery from addictive disorders and their allies.
It is the heart and soul of the Collegiate Recovery Community and offers:
Join Us! SOAR meets weekly to plan events, socialize and support each other in recovery. We welcome the involvement of students or potential students in or contemplating recovery and their allies.
For more information contact: recovery@msu.edu
Like us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter @SOARMSU
Follow us on Instragram @MSU_SOAR
For more information contact:
Cara Ludlow
AOD Program Coordinator
517.884.6598