My friend was having a really hard time in school and was cheating to get by. He was getting good grades but felt bad about himself when his parents would praise him because he didn't really earn it and he always ran the risk of getting caught. It snowballed out of control because when he finally wanted to start earning his own grades, he was worried that if he went to the teach for extra help, then the teach would know he had been cheating. So I scheduled extra help with the teacher and my friend came so all the attention wouldn't be right on him. He slowly was able to start making good grades without cheating and now he and his parents are happy.

--JennaFace

There are a couple of friends I've helped with their addiction to drugs and alcohol and friends I'm trying to help. I came to this site a lot for advice and showed people some facts about weed. It really really helped to open their eyes and they got it that drugs and stuff really will hurt you and so I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been able to make this site and anyone who comes to this site should really take it to heart because it is TELLING THE TRUTH!! Thanks again.

--Emi

My brother was getting banged-up every night last summer and started drinking in the morning because he would feel so bad in the morning. He looked awful while he was drinking and looked twice as bad in the morning. One night, we busted out the video camera and videotaped him. We showed him the video of how banged-up he was one night and I threatened to put the video on YouTube and show my parents, his teachers, and his girlfriend. He was so worried about the bad rep that he never got banged-up again. Whatever it takes to make it happen!

--TreFabulous

It wasn't me that helped, but a friend that helped me. I had a serious eating disorder and started using drugs to lose weight. Soon everything spiraled out of control. I was kicked out of my house and lived on the streets for about two weeks. I was paranoid and violent and emaciated but the rush of the drug was the only thing I had left. My friend didn't even know me that well, but she took me into her home and fed me and followed me everywhere so I wouldn't be able to escape to my old habits. At first I hated her; I kicked and screamed that I wanted to die. But she taught me to appreciate myself, and to put my life towards something special. I'm now doing an arts history degree and play an active role in my church and community...all thanks to her.

--Anna's friend

My friend started using drugs and alcohol when her "hot and sexy" sophomore boyfriend introduced them to her. So to save my best friend, me and a couple other girls videotaped Jess when she wasn't herself. After when she was sobered up, we showed her the video and she finally saw how ugly she was acting. Not only was she stumbling all over the place she was totally embarrassing. Jess entered herself into a rehab and has been sober ever since. I am super stoked about what me and my friends accomplished and we even saved her life!

--Cool Babe From Da Bu

My friend was a laxative queen and was also anorexic. She used to paste her walls with pictures of supermodels and say: "I wanna look like that!" One day when she was out, my friends and I snuck into her room and changed all the pictures of those skinny chicks with pictures of healthy looking models and rock and country stars. When she got home, we also showed her video on YouTube that show how model pictures are not real and are PhotoShopped. She realized that she was trying for an unrealistic goal and we all worked together to set legit goals as far as her weight and diet. We also took away all of her laxatives and told her that she should see a psychologist if she needed more help.

--TenaciousSally92

My best friend was smoking weed in his bedroom while I was sitting on his couch and I told him I was leaving. He told me not to but I told him I didn't want to turn in to a drug head. The next day, he came to my house and told me he didn't want to lose his best friend so he quit. He hasn't smoked ever since and we're still friends.

--2racer81

My boyfriend was addicted to pot for a long time and I decided to break up with him. But then I thought that if I break up with him, who will he have to take care of him? I decided to stay with him, and help him. He has been drug-free for three years, and I thank God everyday for saving him.

--Shell

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Help a Friend Who Has a Drug Problem

It's never easy to tell a friend that he or she has a problem…but isn't that what a friend would do? No one ever thinks that "trying" drugs is going to lead to a life-threatening addiction. Yet, millions of people have to deal with this tough issue every year.

In this section, you will find information on how to recognize a problem and some suggestions on how to have a talk with your friend.You may even find yourself in need of help or someone to talk to. There are plenty of free online resources and confidential hotlines, as well as advice from teens who have been there and have dealt with this tough issue.

does my friend have a drug problem?

Does your friend seem like a different person when they drink or get high? Maybe they have been letting you down lately and you think it's connected to drug use. Or maybe some of the things they do when they are drunk or high are just scary. This can be a difficult situation to deal with, and sometimes the situation gets worse before it gets better. Don't make excuses. Talk to your friend.

what are the signs?

If your friend does one or more of the following, you should talk to him/her.

If he/she:

Gets drunk or high on a regular basis.
Drinks or uses drugs when he/she is alone.
Shows up at school drunk or high or has skipped class to use.
Needs drugs or alcohol to have a good time or cope with everyday life.
Plans for drug use in advance.
Starts hanging out with new friends who will do drugs with him/her or can score for him/her.
Lies about drug use.
Pressures others to use drugs.
Has broken plans with you, or showed up late, because he/she was getting drunk or high.
Shows little interest in or quits sports or activities he/she once enjoyed.
Has driven a car while drunk or high.
Borrows or steals money to buy drugs or alcohol.

Also, even if your friend doesn't exactly fit any of these, but you feel like he/she is headed in the wrong direction, you can say something. You don't have to wait for it to get worse.

Take Drug Quiz

how will my friend react?

If your friend insists that his or her drug use isn't a big deal, don't be too surprised – this is a pretty common response. But don't let this stop you from talking to your friend. Chances are that he or she will see that you're concerned.

what can happen if my friend keeps using drugs?

If your friend continues using, he or she could face some pretty serious consequences like getting caught or arrested, losing his or her driver's license, getting thrown off the team, suspended or being involved in a car crash, or worse.

looking at yourself...

Do you think you might have a problem? If you are worried and would feel more comfortable talking to an expert counselor, try one of these hotlines. They're open 24/7 and are totally confidential.