Try to remember the following essential principles in your interactions with your drinker:

1. People need to make their own decisions – support but do not order, bully or beg.
2. Never directly disagree with the person, but do not pretend that you agree with them either (if you don’t).
3. Ask questions, avoid statements!
4. Try to highlight inconsistencies in the statements made in a way that does not engender a feeling of resistance in the person you are trying to help.
5. Roll with Resistance.