Current Events > I'm concerned my friend has a drinking problem. Should I be?

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If so, I should I approach the situation?

She texted me and my other friend in a group chat saying she really wanted some wine this morning. She asked if it was bad that she was dying for some wine at 10am. That didnt concern me. I said do what you want. Its the weekend. Enjoy.

Here is the red flag. She didnt have in and she said quote,

ABC dont open up until 11 am. Would it be weird if I waited in the parking lot until they open?

This wasnt a joke either it seems. Should I be concerned about this or just not worry about it? If I should be concerned, how do I approach it?

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So she is waiting for an hour for the liquor store to open?

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Hmmm...

Drinking as a hobby isn't really a problem, in my opinion. Maybe she has a reason she has to wait instead of coming back later, like work maybe?

It's concerning, for sure, but communication is key. If you are concerned, let her know. If she gets pissed, so be it. Let her be mad but let her know you're a good friend and you care about her safety.

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Nothing wrong here. She just wants to drink.

Most people on here who make topics like this don't even know what a drinking problem really is.
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Depends on her schedule. I used to regularly drink from like 4 or 5 am until as late as 10 or 11 but that was when I got off work so it just was what it was.
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One of my friends at work has been going through a bottle of tequila a week. I find that excessive but I dunno what makes one an alcoholic I guess. Ive wondered if shes just high functioning or something.

It sounds like maybe she went to ABC, realized they were closed until 11, and decided shed rather wait as opposed to going home and coming back?

either way, doesnt seem like a big deal, unless it becomes a super regular thing. If she said she was waiting for a bakery to open to get a cake, would it be as weird?

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It's the weekend. That's called brunch

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a-c-a-b posted...

Nothing wrong here. She just wants to drink.

Most people on here who make topics like this don't even know what a drinking problem really is.

this is a terrible mindset that people use to rationalize problematic drinking

Yea man, waiting in the parking lot so you can drink wine at 10am is indicative of a drinking problem

Having an unhealthy relationship with alcohol can mean anything from "those 2 craft beers you have after work are making you fat" to "two shots when you wake up to stave off the shakes"

One doesnt always lead to the other, but it is important to recognize when it the fixation is having a negative effect on your life

But yea i mean if this is a one off, she's probably fine

Or maybe she kinda wants someone to call her out so she has an external reason to quit.

Idk

Just dont listen to people who want to gatekeep alcoholism
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If she is doing this once, it is not a problem. Sometimes people just really feel like a few drinks, even at odd times.

If she is doing this as a regular thing, it is 100% a problem.

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I dunno, we used to wait around in the parking lot sometimes before work on Saturday because when we got off work the store would be closed and they didnt sell on Sundays.

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Drinking problems can be pretty nebulous things. The general rule I found in recovery circles is that if there's a pattern of alcohol causing stress, discomfort, pain, etc. and someone wants to stop but can't, it's a problem. That's going to be up to the individual to figure out though.

My first instinct is that if she's asking these questions about it, it probably warrants some introspection but it doesn't necessarily mean she or anyone else who does that has a problem. It definitely was a red flag for me though.


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i dont think she meant it to be taken seriously...

like it was a situation she was finding humor in, not crying for help. damn lol let her have her wine. and join her. sounds like ya need to loosen up

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if she was really that desperate why would she wait an hour for the liquor store when a place like Target or Wal Mart would be open much earlier and typically will sell alcohol that early? I think she was just joking around.

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One more night, one more down. One more, one more round. First one in, last one out. Giving this town lots to talk about. They don't know what they don't know. People say I got a drinkin' problem. That ain't no reason to stop.

Last call gets later and later. I come in here so I don't have to hate her. Same old folks, same old songs. The same old same old blue neon. The same old buzz, just because people saying that I've hit rock bottom. Just cause I'm living on the rocks. It's a broken hearted thinkin' problem. So pull another bottle off the wall. People say I got a drinkin' problem. But I got no problem drinkin' at all. They keep on talking. Drawing conclusions. They call it a problem. I call it a solution.

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you should be concerned

that is classic alcoholic thinking and behavior

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I guess based on what Ive seen here, Ill just keep a closer eye on her

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