When Someone You Love is Drinking Too Much

Watching someone you care about struggle with alcohol can be heartbreaking. You might feel scared for their health, frustrated by broken promises, or guilty that you can’t “fix” the problem. These feelings are normal and you are not alone.

What You Can Do

• Lead with compassion. Blame rarely helps. Try gentle honesty: “I’ve noticed you’re drinking more, and I’m worried about you.”

• Listen openly. Sometimes, being heard is the first step toward change.

• Encourage, don’t control. Offer support and suggest professional help, but remember: the choice to change is theirs.

• Protect your own wellbeing. It’s okay and necessary, to set healthy boundaries.

What You Can’t Do

You cannot force someone to stop drinking. Recovery has to be their decision. What you can control is how you respond, and how you care for yourself.

Support for Families and Friends in the UK

You don’t have to face this alone. These organisations can help:

• Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire (al-anonuk.org.uk) – Support groups for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking.

• Drinkline – The national alcohol helpline. Call 0300 123 1110 (free, confidential, 7 days a week).

• Adfam (adfam.org.uk) – Support for families affected by drugs and alcohol.

• NHS Live Well (nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support) – Information, tools, and links to treatment services.

• We Are With You (wearewithyou.org.uk) – Free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs, or mental health.

👉 If you’re worried about someone, remember: you didn’t cause their drinking, and you can’t cure it. But you can care for yourself, set boundaries, and offer support when they’re ready.

Two people sitting closely on a bed, sharing a comforting embrace as they face a bright window, symbolizing support and companionship.