Thanks again for all your advice and concern. She seems to go through cycles, she'll hit bottom, seek help, get better, then go off on her own again and start going down hill, hit botton, etc... I'm not an expert, but I agree that its probably caused by depression. She recently turned 30, lives alone and is just generally unhappy with herself. A few months ago after a recent break-up, she locked herself in her apartment for 4 days and went on a drinking binge, didn't go to work, wouldn't even get out of bed, wouldn't answer phone calls. She's a mess, and as a friend I'm at a loss of how to help her. I listen to her when she's upset and try to be there for her, but I don't know what else to do. I've discussed it with mutual friends and none of us know how to help her. Like you all said, she has got to want to help herself.

I think you are all right, honesty is best in this situation. The truth will hurt, but I hope in the end she'll understand it's for her own good.