Having thought about the boundary you would like to set and being prepared to talk about it, the next thing is to set it with the person who uses substances. The skill to utilise is negotiation. It is important to build and maintain a dialogue between the person using substances and other family members – this will work well if negotiation skills are utilised. 

Effective dialogue involves: 

• Listening to each other
• Being open and honest
• Respecting the other person – not necessarily liking their behaviour
• Accepting and understanding their point of view – even when you don't agree
• Using 'I' statements. Start everything you say with 'I'. I think, I believe, I feel, I would like etc.
• Taking responsibility for your actions and contribution to the situation
• Not taking responsibility for other people's behaviour, actions and choices
• Acknowledging both your own feelings and the other person's feelings
• Appropriately expressing your feelings e.g.," I am really angry that you are using in front of your brothers", rather than exploding and becoming aggressive
• Recognising the need for all to exercise their rights and responsibilities
• Working to collaborate rather than confront
• Staying calm and focused on the task of setting the boundary even if the person who uses substances loses control
• Modelling appropriate behaviour — it may bring them back on track

Effective dialogue builds trust, which can lead to people taking more risks with being honest, open and taking responsibility.

Using the transactional analysis model we are trying to work with Adult to Adult dialogue rather than Parent to Child or Child to Child dialogues.

Developing effective negotiation skills:

• Always look for win/win outcomes
• Asking for what you want – not demanding or avoiding asking
• Acknowledge power differences between you and the person who uses substances
• Checking their response to your request and how they feel about it
• Not making assumptions regarding their feelings, thoughts or desires
• Collaborating and being flexible. Being prepared to give some ground and compromise
• Holding on to what is really important while being willing to let go of what is not important
• Start easy and if necessary finish strong. Use your negotiation skills and then move on to imposition if necessary
• Agreeing the terms of the boundary – when it will start, when you will review it and the consequences of the breach of the boundary. Make sure the person who uses substances is fully involved and understands what the consequences will be
• Make a clear agreement of what has been decided