Sugar, Spice, and Advice is Her Campus SFA’s new advice column. Ask us your questions about life, love, beauty, travel, careers, style, health or anything else and one of our writers will answer your question. Hit us up on our social media or submit your anonymous questions here.
Here is our advice to you this week:
“I have some friends who are freshmen girls who keep getting wasted. How can I tell them I’m worried about them without them thinking I’m judging them?”
Answered by Joy Meregini:
First, I hope that you know that you’re a good friend for caring about your friend’s well-being. It can be hard trying to discuss alcohol with college students, especially freshmen. Like most freshmen entering college, they see drinking as an exciting rite of passage. I can remember being told that, “drinking is part of the college experience,”, or “if you didn’t drink in college, you didn’t do college right.” Both of these statements are completely false. Maybe try reminding your friends that it is possible to have fun without giving into peer pressure and drinking, or getting drunk. You could also come up with some fun nonalcoholic ideas that you guys could do as friends. For example:, Friday night movies, dinner dates, etc.
When starting the conversation remember to not sugar coat the situation. A way that you can start the conversation off can be, “I’m not bringing this up to upset you, but it’s because I’m concerned.” Some more advice that I will give to you is to when discussing the issue with your friends, do not label your friends as alcoholics and demand that they seek treatment. They may not be aware of the things that you see them doing to themselves. Lovingly voice your concerns with them without judgement. Just make sure that you’re honest, and to actually tell them your concerns. Most importantly, remember that whatever you say, say it with love. I hope that all goes well and that these tips help!