Be supportive and nonjudgmental. Bring up your concern when your coworker is sober, says Kathryn Cunningham, PhD, director of the Center for Addiction Research at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Stress the fact that you care about this person and you’ve noticed some signs or symptoms that concern you. “It often helps to have a log of the observations that have led you to this conclusion,” she suggests.

Offer a network of strong advocates for recovery. Volunteer to help her seek support from her family, doctor or spiritual advisor, as well as inpatient or outpatient therapy programs. The website for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov) is a good place to start looking for support groups, says Dr. Cunningham.

Remember intervention can help. While alcohol or drug use may have stemmed from stress and started with a voluntary action, addiction is a brain disease, says Harold C. Urschel, MD, author of Healing the Addicted Brain. Therapy is often required to rebalance brain function and stop the abuse of substances. If you can help your friend do that, you might help save her life or the life of someone in her family.

Is Someone You Love an Addict? Read more.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded in 1935, is a fellowship that considers alcoholism a disease. There are no dues or fees. To find a meeting in your area, visit aa.org.

Al-Anon/Alateen has been a support group for friends and families of alcoholics for more than 55 years. To find a meeting—available in 115 countries—visit al-anon.alateen.org or call 888-4AL-ANON toll-free.

Alcoholism Center for Women hosts a residential program and out-participant services in English and Spanish for up to 12 months. There are also prevention programs for high-risk adolescents and youth (alcoholismcenterforwomen.org).

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics aims to eliminate the adverse impact of alcohol and drug use on children and families by distributing videos and booklets to spread awareness (888-554-COAS, nacoa.org).

Moderation Management (MM) addresses the needs of beginning-stage problem drinkers with free meetings. The support group network advocates early intervention. MM encourages individuals to accept personal responsibility for choosing and maintaining their own paths, whether moderation or abstinence (moderation.org).

The Partnership at Drugfree.Org  If you think a child may be developing a substance abuse issue, this is a good place to begin.