How to help a friend?

How to know if a friend has a drug problem? Because people who take drugs do it discreetly, it is difficult to know if someone has a drug use problem. Nevertheless, recognizing 3 symptoms in the following list will allow you to decide if your friend needs help, or even professional help. - Takes drugs regularly or lies about his/her use and quantity used. - Likes to talk about drugs and their effects, as a main conversation topic. - Thinks he/she can’t have fun without using drugs. - Plans on using without any special reason or occasion. - Needs to always take more drugs to feel the same effects. - Has red eyes and a runny nose, without it being a cold or an allergy. - Sleeping and eating habits altered. Loss or gain of weight. - Fast mood changes, seems depressed and irritable. - Difficulties in concentrating - Selfish, does not care for others, stays distant and isolated. - Is no longer interested in his/her usual hobbies. Grades have declined. - Avoids friends and family and prefers staying alone or with friends that   also use drugs.

Ok, if I talk to my friend about his/her problem, what will happen with our friendship? If you talk to him/her, you may loose a friend, but if you don’t, your friend risks to hurt him/her-self badly or even die. When a friend has a drug use or alcohol abuse problem, it is worth risking your friendship to save their life. But you need to protect yourself. So before talking to him/her, be sure to talk to a person you trust about how you feel and the problem you are living.