Do you have a friend or a loved one who takes drugs?
Maybe you don’t want to confront them, you’re not sure what to say or how to get them help. There are a range of people you can talk to and services available that offer support. They are there to listen to your concerns, be it about yourself, or someone you know. The Know the Score Helpline on 0800 587 587 9 can offer support about how to address drug issues with friends or loved ones and getting advice will give you confidence in talking to that person.
If you decide that you want to talk to your friend about his/her drug or alcohol use, you should always follow these simple steps:
- Always have the conversation when your friend is not influenced by drugs or alcohol.
- Work out what you want to say in advance.
- Write an email or note if you feel uncomfortable talking face-to-face.
- Try and use the correct tone - Remember, how you say something is as important as what to say. A supportive, caring tone usually works best. Be assertive, not aggressive.
- Back up your case - Your friend may think you're just being critical, so try to give examples of how you feel when you see him or her use drugs. For example, “You are my best friend. But I feel like you're a different person when you're high and that's really disappointing.”
- If they become cross, suggest that you talk about it at another time, or that they seek help from a trusted source such as Know the Score