How do I be the best supportive friend to someone who wants to quit drinking?

Question

My friend told me he wants to quit. He refuses to go to AA. He thinks I would be a good influence on him because I don't really drink much at all. I want to be there for him. What should I do to be supportive? What is something that I should definately not do or say?

Answer 1

Whenever he feels the crave, discipline him. Take away the alcohol. Be stern, dont allow him to argue. If he start, say something like "you said you want me to help you." Give him something else: lime juice, orange juice, grape juice, carrot juice, your juice...whatever. Give hime some once in a while. Quitting is not about doing it immediately. If he's apparently addicted to it, taking it away from him will cause withdrawal symptoms. To some, it may even be traumatic. Just control and lessen it bit by bit. But be strict. Be the older sister, or the stern wife for sometime. You'll never know perhaps it mite lead to something else hehe.

Answer 2

I think your friend is not a friend to you. I bet he has an ulterior motive for trying to involve you in his plight. Your question and explanation sound pretty naive. His refusal to go to a support group such as AA is a telltale sign. Tell him when he quits his alcoholic behavior, you'll be there for him.

Answer 3

Well definately don't drink infront of him and don't say lets go have a drink. Go do staff that keeps his mind of the drinking and then it will be easier for him to quit.

Answer 4

try to keep drinks away from him. tell him to try and go for a long period of time without drinking (e.g. a day or so) and then keep increasing the time until he sees that he erred and stops.

Answer 5

i think you should avoid alcohol for sometime while he's in the stage of "withdrawal." and always keep his attention to something else so he wouldn't think about alcohol again.

Answer 6

Spend more time with him and talk about anything but alkohol