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Which problem are you trying to solve?

Choose your side of the situation. Each path gives you actions for today, language for one conversation, and support options you can compare.

Make a private 24-hour plan

My drinking

I’m worried about how much, how often, or what happens when I drink.

You do not need to settle on a label before asking for help. Prepare the facts another person will need, make the next hours safer, and choose one kind of support to try.

  • Do not drive. Move away from alcohol or situations where you are likely to drink if you can do so safely.
  • Write down when you last drank, roughly how much, and any medicines or other substances involved. Bring that information to a clinician if you seek care.
  • Tell one person plainly: “I’m worried about my drinking, and I need help deciding what to do next.”
  • If stopping alcohol may cause withdrawal, get medical guidance rather than trying to manage it alone.
Compare ways to changeBuild my 24-hour plan

Someone else’s drinking

I need to decide what to say, what to do, or where to draw a line.

Choose a time when neither person is intoxicated or escalating. Describe behavior you observed, its impact, and the action you will take. A boundary should be specific enough to keep.

  • Say: “When you drove after drinking, I was afraid someone would be hurt.” Avoid arguments about labels or character.
  • Name your action: “I will not ride with you after you have been drinking.”
  • Do not promise secrecy about impaired driving, violence, children, weapons, or immediate danger.
  • Choose support that is for you; you do not have to wait for the other person to seek help.
Compare family supportRead the conversation guide

Choosing support

Peer group, clinician, treatment program, or more than one?

Peer groups provide community and shared tools. Licensed clinicians can assess health and mental-health needs. Treatment directories help locate programs and verify practical details such as availability, insurance, and level of care.

  • Choose professional medical guidance when withdrawal, medications, pregnancy, serious health conditions, or immediate safety may be involved.
  • Try more than one peer meeting if the first group is not a fit; formats and group culture vary.
  • Confirm credentials, cost, insurance, and current availability directly with a provider.
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