Emotion: depression
Problem: problems with friends
Situation: My best friend is addicted to meth

assistant: Hello. How are you tonight?

user: I'm a little bummed because my friend is not only a junkie but he got arrested last week.

assistant: Ouch! Your friend got arrested for drugs last week?

user: He got arrested for stealing to fund his addiction.

assistant: I had a neighbor who was doing meth, and he got arrested, and that actually saved his life. He had to get sober and look at what he was doing. There is a hard line between helping a friend who is addicted and actually enabling them. Have you ever heard of this?

user: Sadly my friend has been arrested a few times, spent time in prison, and is fully locked in his lifestyle. He's such a great person, very funny, nice, but he is lost

assistant: It can be very hard to watch a loved one destroy their lives. Has anyone every discussed an intervention?

user: He has alienated all of his friends, including me. I was the last one holding on

assistant: My husband and I actually have worked with recovering drug addicts and alcoholics. We are retired now, but still volunteer. Sometimes we have to let go of our loved ones - they have to hit rock bottom. Very hard to do, but unless they see their behavior as destructive, they don't want to change.

user: I agree, I'm afraid that's what I have to do. Another one of our mutual friends passed away recently to an overdose. I don't want to lose another friend.

assistant: Have you seen the serenity prayer? Knowing what to do, what not to do and accepting life really is a great thing to ask God for. We can't change others. Yet you have to find a way to have peace.

user: Yes. I know I have to let go. I've punished myself trying to stay in his life.

assistant: It's very hard to lose friends to addictions. It's epidemic in our society now. However, you can pray for them and look for ways to keep your life on track so you don't get lost focusing on them and not where you want to go.

user: all drugs are bad, but meth is a truly evil drug. It's just rotting his soul and body. He believes he can't stop and you're right, letting go and just sending prayers is all i can really do now

assistant: very evil, I agree, I like to write out a list of things I can do to distract myself from overly being concerned, if that makes sense. Like I take time to think about them and pray for them, then I have to move on with my life, so a list helps me think of where I want to go and how to get there. Even if it is just a list of how to clean my pantry! lol My husband just got me a daytimer, and I write my goals in that for the new year, and I try to check it every day and try to focus on moving forward, because life has a way of throwing us curveballs like this, and we can't get stuck in them.

user: That's a good idea. I don't have many friends left, close friends that is, and this guy is my best friend of 20 years. We were in a touring rock band together. He's my last close friend.

assistant: It is hard to lose friends that we have had for years. Maybe you can write that on your list -- perhaps just brainstorm ways to make new friends - take a college class, join a gym, take a dance class, volunteer at church, something like that. That way you open up yourself to make new friends. I have had to walk away from many unhealthy relationships over the years, it isn't easy, but it's part of maturing in life.

user: I'm a single dad so my world is my children. I guess that's enough for me really. I just watch this guy sink and often feel like I should be doing something, but I think you're right.

assistant: I've learned the hard way, if a person doesn't want to change, I'm just beating my head against a wall. I can pray, then leave the rest to God. It seems like a lesson I learn over and over again! Hahah.