Skip navigation

I Know My Child is Using:
5. Get Outside Help

Don't be put off by the term “get help.” Outside help includes school counselors, your family doctor, and even your child's sports team coach. All of them can be great resources and sources of support for you and your teen during this time. There are many actions and approaches you can take that have nothing to do with rehab.

You don't have to do this alone.

Telling others about teenager's drug use can be scary. You may feel guilty or ashamed, fear you're going to embarrass your child or believe that you can “deal with it” on your own. But you can't handle this problem by yourself—and you shouldn't have to. It's important to get outside help.

Your child's drug use can be an act of teenage rebellion, a sign of full-fledged addiction, or anything in between. Your first step in addressing your child's substance use should be to find a professional who can assess the frequency and severity of your child's use, and help determine if formal substance abuse treatment is required. To find a professional who can screen or assess your child, contact

Whether your child is addicted to drugs, uses them infrequently, or was just “experimenting” one time with friends, a problem exists. It is far more dangerous for an adolescent to use drugs or alcohol than an adult—because his brain and body are still growing, doing drugs or drinking can take a permanent, irreversible toll on a kid. And because their brains are not fully developed, teens do not always make the best decisions. When you add alcohol or drugs to the mix, the consequences can be deadly. That's why you need to step in now and make sure that your child speaks and listens to all the various people who can help him quit using.

Why does my child need help?

Drug addiction affects more people than just the addict. Even if your non-drug-using children seem okay, chances are they're harboring some resentment towards their sibling and you for his destructive behavior or all the attention he's receiving, or may live in fear of the drug user's unknown future. These negative feelings are detrimental to both the user and the other family members. By getting help to make sure that your other children are emotionally stable and fully comprehend their brother or sister's situation, you're aiding in everyone's recovery and healing process. It also helps the non-using sibling to have his feelings of resentment and anger validated. They have a right to be angry, frustrated and hurt about the situation.

Helpful Resources

I'm too embarrassed to tell others about my child's drug use because of the stigma.

It is unfortunate and understandable that you may feel a little embarrassed by telling others of your child's drug use, but the reality is that you must put your child's health first.

Remember: As a parent, you are your child's biggest advocate! If you are too embarrassed to talk about his drug problem and get him help, no one else is going to do it. You are the person who can make a world of difference in this situation.