DEAR HARRIETTE: I woke up to a disturbing text from a friend I haven't seen in a while. It said: "I woke up sober for the first time in a long time, and I forgot how good it felt." After asking a few more questions, I discovered that she had partied every night of the past month. I had no idea someone could function like this! I am not much of a partier at all, and I could never even imagine waking up and still being drunk.
I do not live in the same state as she does, and I am completely at a loss on what to do about this. Should I visit her as part of an intervention? Do I direct her to her family or to church? I've never dealt with something like this before. -- Not a Partier, Laredo, Texas
DEAR NOT A PARTIER: Thank her for being honest with you. Ask her if she thinks she needs help. Suggest that she go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting so she can talk to other people who struggle with alcohol.