nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      Information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Read the latest >

      Información sobre el coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Aprenda más >

      /nutch_noindex

       


      How to Help Teenagers with Addicted Parents

      Growing up can be a tough challenge for most adolescents, but when their parents are abusing alcohol or drugs, the obstacles can seem overwhelming. Nearly 8 million children under age 18 live with a parent who is abusing or addicted to alcohol or drugs. That is over 1 out of every 10 children in the U.S.! 

      So what's the best way to help a teen who's grappling with the problem of parental addiction?

      These kids need our help, and perhaps the first step in helping is simply to listen. Let the teenager talk it out, then take appropriate steps, such as reporting physical or emotional abuse, or contacting a family friend who might be able to intervene with the parents.

      Here are a few suggestions on ways to help teenagers with addicted parents:

      • Discuss the problem. Talk with the teenager who is affected by it, then take appropriate steps. If the child is being physically or emotionally abused, report it to child-protection authorities. If the addicted parent or parents will listen to you, recommend substance-abuse counseling.

      • Contact someone who can intervene. One helpful approach is to look for a relative or friend (of the teenager) who has some influence with the parents, then ask him or her to intervene.

      • Suggest a support group. The good news for teens struggling with this problem is that support groups are out there. Alateen, for example, offers guidance, support, and regular meetings at which adolescents can share their painful feelings.

      • Give the teen a list of phone numbers to call for help. The list might include the school guidance office and a government or volunteer agency that assists troubled families. Include your own phone number if you feel comfortable doing so.

       

       

      Related Topics

      • Neurological Exam for Children
      • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
      nutch_noindex
      • About Us
      • Contact
      • MyChart Login
      • Careers
      • Blog
      • Refer a Patient
      • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct

      © 2021 Stanford Children's Health

      About

      • About Us
      • Our Hospital
      • Patient Stories
      • Blog
      • News
      • Send a Greeting Card
      • New Hospital
      • Careers

      Connect

      • Donate
      • Refer a Patient
      • Contact Us
      • Pay Your Bill

      Find

      • Doctors
      • Locations
      • Services
      • Classes
      Download from App Store Download From Google Play

      Also Find Us on:

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      • linkedin
      US News & World Report Badge
      • Stanford Medicine
      • Stanford University
      • Stanford Health Care
      • Lucile Packard Foundation
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct
      • © 2021 Stanford Children's Health
      /nutch_noindex