U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

www.samhsa.gov

Children Need Help Too!

Children in families experiencing alcohol 

or drug abuse need attention, guidance and 

support. They may be growing up in homes in 

which the problems are either denied or 

covered up. 

These children need to have their experiences 

validated. They also need safe, reliable adults 

in whom to confide and who will support 

them, reassure them, and provide them with 

appropriate help for their age. They need to 

have fun and just be kids.

Families with alcohol and drug problems usually 

have high levels of stress and confusion. High 

stress family environments are a risk factor for 

early and dangerous substance use, as well as 

mental and physical health problems. 

It is important to talk honestly with children 

about what is happening in the family and to 

help them express their concerns and feelings. 

Children need to trust the adults in their lives 

and to believe that they will support them.

Children living with alcohol or drug abuse in 

the family can benefit from participating in 

educational support groups in their school 

student assistance programs. Those age 11 

and older can join Alateen groups, which meet 

in community settings and provide healthy 

connections with others coping with similar 

issues. Being associated with the activities of a 

faith community can also help.

Resources for Information and Help

There is help available in your local community. 

Look in the Yellow Pages under Alcoholism 

for treatment programs and self-help groups. 

Call your county health department and ask 

for licensed treatment programs in your 

community. Keep trying until you find the 

right help for your loved one, yourself and your 

family. Ask a family therapist for a referral to a 

trained interventionist or, call the Intervention 

Resource Center at 1-888-421-4321.

Self-Help Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups

www.al-anon.org 

Alateen

www.alateen.org 

Alcoholics Anonymous

www.aa.org 

Adult Children of Alcoholics

www.adultchildren.org 

For a pastoral counseling center in your 

community, visit www.aapc.org 

For More Information

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP

www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

National Association for Children 

of Alcoholics 

www.nacoa.org

National Council on Alcoholism and 

Drug Dependence

www.ncadd.org 

Alcohol and 

Drug Addiction

Happens in the

Best of Families

...and It Hurts

It doesn’t have to be that way
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hurts Everyone 

in the Family

Dependence on alcohol and drugs is our most 

serious national public health problem. It is 

prevalent among rich and poor, in all regions of 

the country, and all ethnic and social groups.

Millions of Americans misuse or are dependent 

on alcohol or drugs. Most of them have families 

who suffer the consequences, often serious, of 

living with this illness. If there is alcohol or drug 

dependence in your family, remember you are 

not alone.

Most individuals who abuse alcohol or drugs 

have jobs and are productive members of society 

creating a false hope in the family that “it’s not 

that bad.” 

The problem is that addiction tends to worsen 

over time, hurting both the addicted person and 

all the family members. It is especially damaging 

to young children and adolescents. 

People with this illness really may believe that 

they drink normally or that “everyone” takes 

drugs. These false beliefs are called denial; this 

denial is a part of the illness.

It Doesn’t Have to be That Way

Drug or alcohol dependence disorders are 

medical conditions that can be effectively 

treated. Millions of Americans and their families 

are in healthy recovery from this disease. 

If someone close to you misuses alcohol or 

drugs, the first step is to be honest about the 

problem and to seek help for yourself, your 

family, and your loved one. 

Treatment can occur in a variety of settings, in 

many different forms, and for different lengths 

of time. Stopping the alcohol or drug use is the 

first step to recovery, and most people need help 

to stop. Often a person with alcohol or drug 

dependence will need treatment provided by 

professionals just as with other diseases. Your 

doctor may be able to guide you.

 

“What is Substance Abuse 

Treatment? A Booklet for 

Families” - was written especially 

for family members and is available 

through SAMHSA’s National 

Helpline 1-800-662-HELP. 

Family Intervention Can Start the Healing

Getting a loved one to agree to accept help, and 

finding support services for all family members 

are the first steps toward healing for the addicted 

person and the entire family.

When an addicted person is reluctant to seek 

help, sometimes family members, friends, and 

associates come together out of concern and 

love, to confront the problem drinker. They 

strongly urge the person to enter treatment and 

list the serious consequences of not doing so, 

such as family breakup or job loss. 

This is called “intervention.” When carefully 

prepared and done with the guidance of a 

competent, trained specialist, the family, friends 

and associates are usually able to convince their 

loved one – in a firm and loving manner – that 

the only choice is to accept help and begin the 

road to recovery. 

People with alcohol or drug dependence 

problems can and do recover. Intervention is 

often the first step.