Sometimes families are the least able to offer help. How to tell if your friend has a problem with alcohol or other drugs. Chemical dependency is a confusing disease. Contrary to popular myth, your friend doesn't have to drink or use drugs every day to be chemically dependent. Someone with the disease may still have a good job, home, and bank account and be a good spouse, parent, or friend.
Different people react to alcohol and drugs in different ways.
One may get loud and funny while another gets quieter than usual. Some are able to drink and use drugs in large quantities and act normally, while others experience acute personality changes after even a small amount of alcohol or drugs. Remember, it's not how much your friend drinks or uses drugs, but what the effect is. If your friend is having problems related to alcohol or other drugs, they need help. Nor does your friend have to be a daily drinker or drug user to need help.