A close friend has been acting completely different over the past year, and it's becoming obvious addiction is involved. I've tried checking in, but every conversation feels awkward. Can you recommend the best resources or tips on how to help someone with addiction while still respecting their boundaries?
I had a friend go through something similar, and the biggest mistake we made at first was trying to "fix" everything in one talk. It just made them shut down more. What helped was keeping it simple: check in, listen, don't argue, and leave space for them to choose the next step. If you want something practical on how to help someone with addiction without pushing too hard, how to help someone with addiction without enabling them (http://citizenadvocates.net/blog/help-someone-addiction) is worth a look. It lays out the basics in a way that actually feels usable, especially when you're trying to respect boundaries and still be supportive.