How Do You Handle Family Members Who Self Medicate With Drugs or Alcohol?

The holiday season tends to bring out underlying depression in people whose personal lives may not be fulfilling. Loneliness and feelings of failure often motivate people to seek relief from emotional pain with alcohol or drugs. The personality altering effects of these substances can ruin family gatherings and special occasions. How do you handle the relative who shows up to dinner drunk or high? Do you avoid holidays and celebrations? Can such a person be approachable and helped?