Parent/Caregiver

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Parent/Caregiver

Raising children can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, and it can also be one of the most challenging.  Adding drugs and alcohol to the equation can create a confusing, and potentially dangerous problem for your family. 

Listed below, you will find top state and national resources, including in-depth guides on how to help you provide the best care possible when your child is misusing drugs and alcohol.

First Steps 

• How do I know if my child has a problem with drugs or alcohol and needs treatment? Your child does not need to be physically addicted to a substance to need treatment. If substance use is causing negative effects in your child’s life, it’s time to take a closer look. The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides an expandable guide answering common questions that can help indicate the presence of a Substance Use Disorder.
• Take Action: Start Talking If You Suspect Drug Use Conversation tips and steps to take if you suspect that your child is using drugs or alcohol.
• How do I prepare for my child’s return from residential treatment or incarceration? Steps to take to prepare for your child’s return home.
• Continuing Care: A Parent’s Guide to Your Teens Recovery from Substance Use Learn about continuing care, tips on ensuring treatment follow-through, how to reinforce the message of recovery, and monitoring your child in a supportive way.
• Returning to school after treatment Tips for parents on a healthy transition for your child when they are returning from residential treatment.

Support Resources 

• The Association of Recovery Community Organizations RCO’s mobilize resources within and outside of the recovery community to increase the availability and quality of long-term recovery from substance use disorders.
• Families Against Narcotics Families Against Narcotics (FAN) is a community-based program for those seeking recovery, those in recovery, family members affected by addiction and community supporters.
• Talk Sooner Our mission is to help parents inform youth about the dangers of substance use; includes talking tips, drug trends, and a marijuana and vaping glossary.

Support Groups

• Al-Anon is a mutual support program, offering meetings both in person and online, for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of individuals who struggle with alcoholism can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether the individual admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.
• Families Anonymous is a 12 Step fellowship, offering meetings both in person and online, for the families and friends who have known a feeling of desperation concerning the destructive behavior of someone very near to them, whether caused by drugs, alcohol, or related behavioral problems.
• Nar-Anon is a 12-step program, offering meetings both in person and online, designed to help relatives and friends of addicts recover from the effects of living with an addicted relative or friend.

Helpful Videos

Advice to Parents | Drugs & College 101 
Learn what science tells us about drug use on college campuses.

Why Teens are Attracted to Vaping
Explore why teens may be attracted to vaping – and what they are vaping.

Why Should I Take Care of Myself if My Child is the One with the Addiction?
The benefits of self-care and why your health is so important during this period.  

Are you having trouble talking to your child about their drug use?
Improving communication with your child may begin with changing the tone of your voice.