Tips On Stopping A Drunk Friend From Driving

It's been awhile since I was in this situation.  A drunk friend, thinks they're invincible and has every excuse in the book why they will just drive. But you know they are not safe to drive.  Maybe you're in no better shape, but you know you shouldn't be driving.  I used to try turn the scenario to be about me, not them.  "I think I might throw up if I get in the car right now, let's just walk, or go get something to eat."  Pretty sure I used that one a couple times.  Water and food and time are essential to clearer thinking.

Some great tips found in Cosmopolitan from Lisa M. Najavies PH.D. Associate professor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of "A Woman's Addiction Workbook" offers these tips to stop a friend from driving drunk:

• Be cool and calm. When people are under the influence, their emotional response is heightened, so they're far more likely to overreact and get defensive if you take an accusatory tone. When talking to them, it's critical to stay steady, not raise your voice, and maintain eye contact.
• Come up with plan B. Make it easy for your drunken friend not to drive. Suggest an alternative, rather than just telling them no. Offer them a ride (and a promise to drive them back to pick up their wheels tomorrow) or call a cab.
• Use delay tactics. If your pal insists she is not drunk and is absolutely fine to drive, then ask her to sit with you -- no drink in hand -- while you have a cup of coffee. The effect of alcohol diminishes with time, so the longer she can be prevented from getting behind the wheel, the better. And you can use this window to talk her out of driving.
• Next time, plan ahead. One of the smartest ways to avoid this dilemma is to name a designated driver before you head out. Alternatively, eliminate all temptation to drive drunk by leaving the car at home. Instead, catch a cab, take public transportation, or organize a pickup.