[2.2 Straight six]

discussing it really depeneds on how close you are, if you're close and there are no boundries between you get them alone, sit down and talk about, you need to find the root of the cause before you can stop it.

in a strange way drinking can be like weeds (of the garden variety) you can cut them down (take away the drink) but you need to find the root (cause) and stop it that way. you need to find what triggered the drinking, if it's a problem with something in the person's life then try and find something to make it better. if you just prevent them from getting the drink they'll get more keen to find it.

i dont think mailing an anonymous letter would help. remember, only the people clsoe to the person would know there's a problem, and only those close would know the address. if you do that they may feel you're spying on them or conpiring against them and that wont help anyone. the best way to talk about it is just that, talk about it.

the way you go about stopping it is up to you, they may find AA meetings helpful, or they find that they want to keep the help within the family and not have other people involved. the main thing is support, if you want to help them they have to know that you're going to be there for them whenever they need you. dont just try grabbing the drink away from them anytime they get one from the fridge, talk to them about, ask if they're sure they want it.

allow them to cut down slowly, stopping the drinking immediately wont help, they'll get withdraw symtoms, mood swings, unhappiness, losing trust in others. let the drinking be allowed within reason. you also need to let them know that there's a point where they dont need another drink.

the main thing is be supportive, make sure they know you only want to help them, don't try and contorl them or their life, be friendly. they have to know you're only looking out for them and you're not trying to dictate how they live.

i hope that's of some help.