There are some people in life who need that negative influence to become better people later on. Myself, I chose that path when I was very young. Though I had enough mind to stay away from drugs (until college) I still hung out with some very shady characters. I got into lots of trouble and it wasn’t until I had almost lost all connection with those I deeply cared for that I recognized what I was doing. It was only after that time that I was willing to accept counseling and the strong support of my friends and family. And, it was a lesson I’ll never forget. Btw, those folks I hung out with are now either in great condition having realized their mistakes, or in over their heads in those old habits, or, they’re winding up as parents with issues to children with their own issues. I wound up ok, but that’s because I had concerned friends and family such as yourself along the way. I strongly recommend you don’t change that position.
Recently an acquaintance of mine (I didn’t really ever consider him a friend, especially since he was a rather messed-up 10 year old when I met him at my crisis year of 14) started doing methamphetamine. He’s now so far gone that he’s barely cognizant much of the time, and out to lunch the others. I know for a fact, now that I’ve known others who knew him growing up, that he didn’t have many friends or much of a home or family to lean on in his many times of trouble. It seems through this example, and several others I know, that the major difference in these situations is basically having people who continually lend their support and love.
Another example happened to a recent girlfriend of mine whose best friend started drinking heavily, smoking pot and bringing her boyfriend home unannounced in the wee hours of the night. My friend not only had to move out of the house, but also sever connections with her friend as a tough love situation. I told her then that she shouldn’t cut off her best friend over a few bad habits, since those sorts of things may not be forgiven lightly. Now their relationship is shaky at best, and her friend is delving deeper into debt and alcoholism.
So… I think what’s best is for you to continue being your friend’s friend. Allow their information to come to you without bias or argument. It’ll be difficult for you who cares for this person to keep a neutral stance, but sometimes the best way to handle a tricky situation is to just let your friend rely on their own conscience and make those hard decisions. If you try to influence their decisions, they will resent it. If you try to stop them by force, the end result will likely be one that you don’t want. Let them learn a few lessons and be there for them when the chips are down.
Best wishes.