The Best Ways to Help Someone Who's Had Too Much to Drink

If they start acting like a different person, the first thing that you can do is to be calm and focus on your safety. Alcohol can lower inhibitions and cause people to act out of character, sometimes becoming too emotional, aggressive, or unpredictable. Try to gently guide them away from any risky situations without escalating things. Remember that your goal isn’t to argue or reason with them in that moment—they may not be fully aware of how they’re acting. Keep your tone calm and reassuring, and focus on getting them to a safer environment if needed. It can also be helpful to involve your other friends for support or to call someone they trust if their behavior becomes too difficult to manage. Once they sober up, it might be helpful to have a conversation about what happened. They may not remember everything, so approach it with empathy and avoid being judgmental. You could say, “You were acting really differently last night, and I just want to check in with you.” This can help you understand if there’s anything deeper going on, like stress or personal issues, and let them know you care without making them feel attacked.