This week on the One Year No Beer Podcast, Ruari discusses how to carefully and effectively talk to a friend who you think is drinking too much. Ruari will share an appropriate way of approaching your friend or family member in your effort to help them change their relationship with alcohol. One of the members of OYNB shared recently that what was helpful for them in changing their relationship with alcohol was reading other people’s stories. Ruari points out that it is vital to building trust with the person you are looking to talk to and that they don’t feel that they are being attacked. He also advocates that you lead by example. 

In this episode, you will learn: 

• How to talk to a friend that is drinking too much

• how to approach them appropriately and how to bring up the topic at a suitable time.

• The enormity of what is going on for people who are drinking too much. They talk about it not only being a habit linked to trauma and environmental factors, but also, for many people, a part of their identity.
• Why is the issue considered to be a hot potato for many people? Ruari discusses how heavy and raw the conversation on this topic can be with a friend or loved one and why you should treat it with the utmost care. 
• How to build trust with your friend or loved one, particularly when bringing up this topic. It’s as Ruari stated, “Trust is built through vulnerability.” It’s essential to find a time and place where you and your loved one can connect.
• What not to do in reaching out to people that are drinking too much. You should not bring up the topic in the heat of an argument or introduce your point while drinking or after drinking together.
• To have a fruitful interaction with their drinking, you cannot rush into it. There is a reason for their drinking, so treating it as small talk or an argument will not work.
• Why making assumptions about your friend or loved one's situation and thought process based on the stigma surrounding drinking too much in society is a big issue.

For more information on what is shared in this episode and to join the AFM community for more support, coaching, book club, meetups, and positivity power-ups, then head to https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/afm and use the code PODCAST10 for 10% off joining the Alcohol-Free community. 

The One Year No Beer Podcast is the show created to inspire you to take the steps needed to Transform Your Relationship With Alcohol Finally.  

This podcast will help you kick start your healthy habits and reconnect with your true self by taking you on the journey of becoming the most productive, present, and healthiest version of yourself.  

You’ll hear the inspiring, motivating, and thought-provoking stories of some of the 80,000+ OYNB members who have changed their lives and now enjoy improved sleep, being more productive, reducing anxiety levels, losing weight, and feeling noticeably better by taking a break from booze.  

If you are thinking about changing your relationship with alcohol, or you are alcohol-free, then this podcast will not only give you top tips, ideas, strategies, and support but also motivate and inspire you to transform your life! 

Key Takeaways:

• Handle the conversation about drinking too much with your loved one or friend very carefully.
• Building trust is the foundation for helping your friend or loved one towards a new relationship with alcohol. 

Resources: 

Ruari Fairbairns LinkedIn | Twitter

Jen Fairbairns LinkedIn

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