I need support now for myself or my child

Call our Substance Use Helpline at 1-855-780-5955. Get support from someone trained in substance use care and recovery. They're available 24/7, and it's anonymous. They can help you find treatment, typically within 24 hours.

I want to learn more about substance use and prevention

Take a look at this article about teen substance use. You can learn important signs to look out for and what you can do to help prevent it. You can also use this resource guide. It has info, tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

Check out the new resources we’ve added for National Recovery Month. Learn about mental health and substance use disorders, suicide prevention and how to nurture hope.

I'd like some help starting a conversation

Partnership to End Addiction has tools to help you talk to your child about drugs and alcohol. That includes help understanding your child's situation, preparing for the conversation and addressing their behavior. And you can get even more ideas for conversation starters with this tool.

I think my child/teen may need help

Check out our Substance Use Support Center for help starting the journey toward recovery, finding treatment and building a support system. We also have a tool where you can search providers based on your child’s needs and your benefits.

I want to connect to a community for myself or my child

Many people find peer support groups helpful. Here are a few you may be interested in for you or your child. Check them out to find virtual meetings or meetings in your area.

• Al-Anon offers support for people with a family member experiencing a substance use disorder. 
• Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) brings together people who are facing problems with alcohol use. 
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) seeks to help people recovering from drug addiction. 
• SMART Recovery offers free, open meetings for anyone struggling with addiction. They also have meetings and tools for friends and family. 
• You can also check out these virtual recovery resources for more meeting options.

I want some support for myself

Coping with a loved one's substance use — particularly if they're your child — can be physically and emotionally draining. But your well-being is important, too. Here are some resources to help you get the care and support you need:

• In-the-moment telephone support is available anytime. Call to talk to an Emotional Wellbeing Specialist who will listen and help address your concerns. 
• The Care Explorer tool can help guide you to the care that’s right for you based on your situation and covered options. 
• With Self Care by AbleTo you can get self-help tools and techniques for boosting your mood, online or through the mobile app.

I want to hear from others who’ve been through recovery

Everyone's story is unique. But hearing, sharing and celebrating recovery stories can empower us and remind us we're not alone. Here are some stories to check out:

• Love the kid, hate the disease is a 12-story blog detailing a father's challenges and how he became part of his son's recovery. 
• In this short video, former Congressman Patrick Kennedy talks about his own struggle with substance use — and how recovery is possible. 
• Heroes In Recovery breaks the stigma of addiction through storytelling. Find more than 1,500 stories of recovery. You can even share your own.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). High-risk substance use among youth. www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/substance-use/index.htm Accessed August 15, 2023. 

Partnership to End Addiction. Playbook for parents of teens. www.drugfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Playbook-for-Parents-of-Teens-062821.pdf  Accessed August 15, 2023. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Recovery and recovery support. www.samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery Accessed August 15, 2023.