Need help getting Taurus friend off blow.

One of closest my friends is a Taurus. We go back since junior high. He works as a bartender/manager now and has always held down a job. In his industry, especially the after hours, cocaine is commonly available. Over the years I've seen his addiction get to the point where he spends his entire paycheck on blow. I would say he's a functioning addict because he still covers his rent and basic human needs.

I see so much potential in him yet hes wasting his life scraping by. No real goals. Nothing. He is the most charismatic guy I know but as stubborn as all hell. I still hang out with him and do regular friend stuff. I've confronted him about it and hes fully aware that he has an addiction. NO denial. I'm very concerned. I notice the drug changing him and on top of it all he knocked up a crazy chick. I'm afraid he will slip and get in trouble with the law. Hes been to jail once already. I want to confront him about it the best way possible and get some serious outside opinions before I do.

One thing I thought of is writing him a hand written letter and handing it to him in person. I know it would be cheesy as heck but I think it might make an impact. How would a Taurus react to this? Any second opinions? Any success stories in a similar situation? Thanks

Yike.

My Taurus brother was strung out (not on blow-- worse😢 ).

He was in his senior year in college, and oddly he still had a 4.0 and had just begun an internship at a prestigious company.

Idk how, but he had his sh*t together in that respect-- so as far as my family was concerned, he was FINE.

My other brother and I knew it wasn't fine-- and we petitioned the judge for a hearing-- got it, and the terms stated that he would either voluntarily submit to treatment, or they would do it for him.

After MUCH HELL, he finally went to rehab and got clean-- he still struggled, but it gave him a chance to get his head clear, and he's good now.

Married with a new kid that he ADORES-- I'm so glad for him-- but I was srsly afraid he was going to die.

He wasn't afraid of anything-- pretty scary.

You can't do that with your friend-- his family would have to do it-- but sometimes, just getting a few friends to go to a person (together, of course) and telling him how much he means to you all and how it hurts you ALL to see him doing this to himself can help.

And don't stop there-- if he agrees, then someone needs to stick with him and help him figure out what route he wants to go for treatment.

Like starlover said: 12 step treatment works-- and sometimes, folks will come from those programs and act as sort of a "sponsor" to help get someone started.

Thank God for people like you-- friends like that are few and far between. 🙂

O man I'm stumped. People have to want to change for themselves, and do better for themselves. Trying to guilt/shame (not suggesting that you're doing this!) will just make him learn to hide it better. He might end up doing what that actor Cory Monteith did- pretending to be clean, then going on short binging trips that eventually led to an overdose.

If he's not reaping any major consequences (homelessness, a ruined life...) I don't think there is anything you can do except write him that letter letting him know your feelings on the addiction and its affect on his life. From what you wrote, I don't see any detrimental consequences from his addiction. Pregnancy with the wrong person is bad, but I don't think it's enough to stop getting high. Jail time is serious though, so maybe clearly highlight the consequences the addiction has had on his life and will have on his future. Most people change after consequences, not before. He's a Taurus, so it might help to talk about potential and actual losses in stability and security...

If i were you
I will drag him to police station and kick him into rehab

no advice can any drug addict taken other then force

Thanks so much for the tips and suggestions. The 12 step will be hard getting him to start. I'll suggest that but knowing him he will agree to it and not commit. @Montgomery Its great to hear your bro's positive outcome. I'm alone on this one though. He doesn't have an immediate family and was raised by his elderly grandparents. I'll be there for him no doubt. @RoseTheTaurus Your right. He never learns from his consequences until they get really bad. When he first had trouble with the law he was extremely lucky to get by with community service. He used that as something to be proud of. I'm gonna do my best to dig into him with this letter and show him my honest concerns. Its the best I can do. Maybe when things go completely south he will think of me. That alone might give him hope for change. Its all about timing now. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks again.

Usually we learn things the hard way. We are stubborn as hell.

Your best bet is to break things down in pros and cons. We always gauge and measure things we invest in.

Right now, your friend is probably putting tons of pros in doing blow.