How can you help self destructive friends?

[ghostqueen]

Is there anyway to actually stop a self destructive person from making poor decisions?

[CaptainClueless]

You can't. Stop. Stop now.
I've tried helping many friends in the past like this, it's like beating your head against a brick wall. They'll listen, but they won't actually ever take your advice. At the end of the day the only person who can change them, is them. Cutting them off is literally the only way to help them. I did this with two of my oldest closest friends, after YEARS of me wasting time trying to help them. Guess what? Only after cutting them off did they take steps to better themselves. By trying to help them, you're feeding them attention, and helping them continue their habits. By cutting off that support structure, they have no one to cry to when things go wrong. They don't want help, they want pity.

[Don_Law]

Honestly? Nothing besides giving them advise your 98% sure they won't use or try & give them ideas of ways they can meet their goals or solve problems (other than tht its truly up to them to realize they are hurting themselves with their own desicions) all you can really do is encourage them to take positive steps forward instead of setting themselves up for failure & hardship. Sadly it usually takes something drastic or terrible to get to tht point I hope you have better luck than I did on the subject

[Anonymous]

Depends on her state of mind and who you are in your life. I've been through some tough stuff like depression/self harm and stuff. My great friend Laurah helped me through it though, she also had past experiences like this, so I felt she really understood me and what I was going through. And even if your not super close to them, just being there and being supportive will make a huge difference, trust me.

[Jaded_8]

You can try to monitor them and remind them off their worth, but there's no definite that it'll help. You could even maybe help them with destructive decisions, make smarter destructive ones or less damaging. Its hard to break people out of these behaviors...- Self Destructive Person

[SavageRae4Ever]

Through talking, understanding each other and showing supporting in the good things...
you really need to be there for them and tell them that’s not a good decision to make...

[Alexgrantz]

Depends on how much you mean to them. And how stubborn they are. I’ve been through that for almost 3 years with a friend and it’s hard.

[burnbridgesnotspoons]

Past a certain point you will know what kind of person your friend is if you have tried to help them. Talk to them and I mean seriously sit them down and no bullshit have a conversation with them. If they do not listen. Then leave them alone maybe cut them from your life. They will have to learn the lessons the hard way.

[ObliviousJester]

Sometimes the mindset is too strong. I very rarely let people in to help, but I have my reasons. Hopefully your friend isn't as closed off.

[ChandelierBoing]

First, keep them away from objects that could potentially hurt them.
Don't leave them alone for very long.
Keep them engaged in something or the other.
I could give more tips. I have been there.

[Listening5]

Before trying to stop them I would suggest being there for them since you mentioned the word ''friends''. So I assume this is a friend you are trying to help.
They have the whole world to tell them how much wrong they are doing but you are their friend, so be there for them instead of judging them.
However also give them your opinion and express to them how they are hurting themselves and how self destructive their ways are. But only share your opinion, dont tell them what to do.

[hahahmm]

No. And if they are con artist types they will just leech off you & drain you emotionally

[legendaryintrovert]

Just spend time with them. Show them you care and like them. Speak and know the reason if you can. Treat them with love. And mainly never isolate them.

[eziegler81]

Encourage them to get professional help. Self destructive people has some serious underlying issues.

[Pyrofox]

Just chat it out discuss the decisions and phrase as its a discussion when really your just listening. It will make you seem super wise when you have listened to the whole story AND then respond.

[Flower-petal]

They will do whatever they want no matter what you say

[winterfox10]

Anything behavioral like that boils down to the person deciding for themselves that they are making bad decisions. All you can do is try to live by example.

[TheGreyVisionary]

Some wise words...

[TheGreyVisionary]

But, if you really want to help them the best you can do is try to delay the fall and get them some help. Just don't stay long too long or you can get drag.

People like that, no matter how many helping hands you give them or all the help handed to them, they will just want to go their own way. They only know why, and they only know if they want the help or not.

Ultimately, the decision to get better is up to them, and you can only help as long as they let you.

Goodluck.

[FakeName123]

Life lesson: You can't change people. You can only help them, if they are willing to work on themselves.

[WickedIsGood]

Just.. be there for them let them know that you are there to stay because they are too awesome to leave.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

You can talk to your blue in face and people will do what they want to do and if they want to initiate self destructive behavior they will do it.

[thinker_]

Depends on their stage and your manipulative abilities

[theFantasticJ]

By not being their friend. Ta da, no more self destructive friends!

[samkamboj4]

There's a lots of ways to do. Tell me what's the matter and i will try to help u out

[Dxk007]

One can just try but, the rest is upto them.

[james_mark]

Recommend them a doctor

[Glen68]

I've never been able to stop them

[DanFlingwing]

You can't

[Anonymous]

Let them learn from their mistakes

[Anonymous]

Nope it takes years