Hi. I am sorry about your friend. I have a few friends who battled alcohol and it is a daily struggle but is possible to get to a healthy place. Your friend is facing things between the depression which sounds severe,the pain,and alcohol that she is going to need the help of a program either in or outpatient.

As a friend you can only do so much. The person who is struggling needs to find it within to get help and do what ever it takes to recover. Could you suggest to her that you are concerned and for her to look into a treatment program?

I am not sure with alcohol but at Cleveland Clinic pain program there were some people who used drugs and not the rx kind but also had chronic pain conditions. They worked with them in recovery from that,plus their pain condition,and different types of therapy such as individual,group,PT etc. I think a few had went inpatient before they came to get medically stable. I would think there are other programs that could help that may be similar.

You are a good friend and I hope your friend gets to a better place