Some great advice here HH
With my friends, I tried my best to be open, direct and honest about what I was and what I needed to do.
Most of them got it - a few of my drinking buds did not. I still don't know whether they were just oblivious, or scared, or jealous, or miffed that I was not going to be an on call drinking bud anymore...maybe they just didn't like change, or maybe the drinking was our only point of connection.
Whatever the reason, they wanted me to stay the man I was and I couldn't do that...so I had to leave them behind.
I hope you have better luck with your friend
D