Help a Parent

If you are reading this page, you might be wondering if your mom or dad has a problem with alcohol or other drugs. Or you might already know they do. In either case, the information below will help you think about what to do to help them — and yourself.

How can I tell if my mom or dad has a problem with drinking or drugs?
Some people drink a lot of beer, wine, or hard alcohol like whisky or vodka. Some use other drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or pills. When they do, it can sometimes change the way they act and how other people act around them.

Maybe everyone gets tense when mom or dad is drinking or taking drugs. Maybe mom and dad fight a lot about how much the other person is drinking, or how often the other person is using drugs. "You've been drinking all day and that is not normal!" "Whenever you take those pills, you act crazy!"

Maybe family plans are always getting messed up. Did you ever miss out on a chance to go somewhere because your dad drank too much and forgot that you had plans? Or maybe your parent is having job problems. Does Mom ever call in sick to work after a night of drinking or taking drugs?

Maybe Mom or Dad changes into "a different person" after drinking or getting high on drugs. Sometimes people call this a "personality change" because a person who is quiet or calm gets loud, nasty, and maybe even violent. They might not remember things that happen, even if they seem to be O.K.

People who act like this probably have a problem with alcohol or drugs. Sometimes a problem with alcohol is called alcoholism, and a problem with drugs is called drug addiction.

You might be asking the following questions:

Why does my mom or dad have a problem with alcohol or drugs? Is it my fault?

I want my parent to stop. What can I do?

Will my mom or dad get in trouble if I tell someone?

Will I get myself in trouble if I tell?

Should I talk to my mom or dad about their behavior?

To find the answers to the above questions - visit this link at drugfree.org for indepth advice and guidance.

Source: When Your Parent Drinks Too Much: A Book of Help and Hope for Teenagers by Eric Ryerson (Warner Books); Mary Ann Amodeo/Join Together