So one of my good friends went through a serious alcoholic drinking binge last summer. I was living in another area during this time but he was completely out of it when I would talk to him. Crying and saying he was talking to dead people and many things, but I thought it was the alcohol. And there was something that he said he wanted to tell me but would only do it in person, not on the phone.

At some point, he decided and immediately moved from SF to LA. And then quickly to Arizona. And then to Texas. And then to New Mexico. And now is going back to Arizona. He's been changing his phone number constantly during this time.

Last night he finally told me what is going on. First off he's completely sober now. He thinks the cartel is watching him, or maybe the government. And they are following him and listening to his phone calls. And he can recognize them by just looking at them, and this puts him in extreme danger. He has been extremely concerned about me and my wellbeing, but I've told him that I am safe and fine. He even recommended that I potentially get a gun to protect myself, but I know he doesn't have one. He says over and over "maybe I'm just paranoid" but I can tell that he doesn't believe that.

Anyway, I just want to support my friend. I love this guy and can tell he is really scared. I haven't told him that his ideas sound like they aren't true. I know everything he is going through is real for him, but I also know he isn't being watched by the cartel.

TL;DR: How can I help my friend? He has no idea that he is experiencing delusions.