What Can I Do to Help My Kid?

Let's say you know your son or daughter is using drugs or drinking. You've tried everything you know, including reasoning, yelling, grounding and more. Here are some helpful tips:

Let your child know you care and are concerned.
Evaluate your child's use.
Realize you can't control your child or force him or her to stop using. However, you do have influence and you can control your behaviour. You can also get information and set rules and consequences.
By nagging, yelling, complaining or threatening, your child may decide you are the problem, not the drugs or alcohol.
Don't enable your kid by writing notes to explain absences from school, paying fines, or bailing him out if he is arrested.
You didn't cause your child to use drugs and your child's drug use doesn't mean you are a bad parent.
Set firm boundaries. For example, you can insist that no drugs or alcohol be brought into your home or that your kid cannot attend bush parties. You're the parent, not your kid's friend.
Don't stop trying to help. Sometimes your kid may not want your help and will refuse it, but stay as closely connected as you can because when he hits bottom (and everyone does eventually) he will need somewhere to go — and that will be you.
When your kid does come to you, take him in and help. Sometimes you'll have to do this repeatedly until he gets a handle on his addiction.
Whatever you do, DON'T give your kid money or support the addiction by falling for lies and manipulation. Remember, when addiction takes hold of someone you love, that person is lost in the addiction. You're dealing with the addiction, not your loved one.
Remind your kid how much you love her, but say firmly that you will not support what she is doing to herself. Tell her that when she's ready she can come to you for support and you will be there.
Take care of yourself and encourage other family members to do the same. You can't do any good if you become ill from stress.
Don't go it alone. Connect with organizations that can help.