My sister is drinking too much!

Dear Very Concerned,

Your sister is experiencing one of life's big transitions: moving away from home (perhaps for the first time) to go to college. She has the chance to make her own decisions now. People adjust to these kinds of life changes in all sorts of ways, and based on what you’ve heard, you feel your sister may be making some risky choices. Her excessive drinking may impair her judgment and affect her behavior. While she might think that your worries come off as excessive, there are ways that you can connect with her about your concerns.

Since your previous attempts to talk with your sister have resulted in her being defensive, consider focusing the conversation on her experience and the social scene, rather than whether or not she's drinking alcohol at parties or drinking too much. It may be helpful to talk in a private, quiet location where you both could be more comfortable. If you have any activities that you like to do together, it may be a good time to talk afterwards. You could start by saying, "So, what was the party like last night?" or, "Did you have fun?" or, "Were there any hot people there?" If the conversation becomes fairly comfortable, you could talk about some of your concerns and the risks associated with certain decisions she might be making, along with safer drinking strategies. You might consider the following steps in a conversation:

• Share your concerns. You might say something like, “I’ve noticed you are drinking more than you did in high school” or “I’m worried because you said you are getting rides from people you don’t know well.”
• Ask about what she likes about drinking and why she chooses to drink. This may give you a better idea of what is going on in her life and her motivations behind drinking. Then, see if she has any concerns about her drinking or her social life.
• Ask your sister open-ended questions. For example, if your sister says she likes to drink because it makes socializing easier, consider asking her "What makes socializing more challenging for you when you're sober?"  
• Find out whether she’s open to advice or suggestions before you give any. If she is open to it, then share. Example: “Before going out for the night, it's a good idea to figure out who could be a DD (designated driver).” or “If you are worried about waking me up late at night for a ride, could I offer you some money for cab fare to get home safely?”

For more advice on strategies you could implement when you talk to your sister, check out the Alice! fact sheet on how to enhance your communication and relational skills. 

If you’re still unable to connect with your sister, maybe the message would be better received if it came from someone else. You mention "reliable sources" that have witnessed your sister drinking. Perhaps these are friends who could talk with her. Or maybe she has a trusted roommate or friend whom she’d be willing to speak with. Being a responsible friend, or in your case, sibling, sometimes means involving people who can most effectively help. Maybe your parents need to know; perhaps they would be best at connecting with her. Clueing your parents in on what is happening with her isn't calling her out; it's being responsible, caring, and compassionate. Even though you may be worried about upsetting her, it’s okay to reach out for help when you feel her safety is at risk.

Before chatting with your sister, you may find it worthwhile to strategize further with a professional, like a mental health professional or health educator. These people can help you practice what you want to say before talking with your sister, as well as provide you with support regardless of her reaction — make sure to take care of yourself, too! Your sister may not respond right away, or at all, but you will have done what you can, and she will know that she can go to you in the future if she does becomes concerned with her drinking habits. While you can’t control her decisions and behaviors, you can control your own and how you handle this situation. 

Good luck!