Seeing your friend struggle can be very difficult. However, you can be the solution. Friends often times are the catalyst in helping someone improve his or her life.
Start by contacting us. We want to be able to give you as much information as possible so you can inform your friend with as much information as possible. Getting your friend to contact us will be the next step, but between now and then here is what we recommend you do:
Tell them you want them to get treatment and that you want to support them. Include your willingness to go with them to make the phone call to us. Your friend is not thinking clearly so fear is a common response. They will have a lot of reasons why they can’t or don’t want to go into treatment. As they rattle these off try to reassure them of ways you can help.
Express to your friend how you care for them. Tell them about the person you miss and how treatment will help your friend get back to the person they once were.
Promises don’t work. If your friend says they promises to call “tomorrow” or they will do it “later” don’t accept this as a solution. Have them do it now. Stalling means they do not have intentions to follow through, regardless of the reason they are stalling.
Don’t lecture, threaten, bribe, preach or make your friend feel guilty. These strategies do not work and can damage your relationship. You want to avoid arguing with them. What you can do is set boundaries. Tell them everything that you are willing to do to help them and what you cannot do if they do not get help. You want to ensure you set up health boundaries and follow through on them. However, do expect that these boundaries will be tested. Your friend is not thinking well and their decision making centers of their brain are impaired whether it be from acute depression, anxiety, stress, grief, or substances. They may tell you things like “I never want to talk to you again.” You may have to stop communicating with them at the moment to avoid arguing with them, but it doesn’t stop you from reaching back out to them. Continue reaching out to them daily or several times a time until they hear you. Don’t give up on them. Hang in there. Your patience and dedication to your friend when they are at their worst will one day be rewarded when they are feeling at their best.
Contact us today and let us assist you in being the bridge between your friend and recovery.
Tell us about your friend’s challenges and we can plan out a way to help him or her in the best way possible.
