Intro

Drug misuse can have an enormous impact on those people close to the person who is using – partners, parents, children, carers, families and friends.

Suspecting that someone you live with, are related to, or know well is using illegal drugs can be very difficult, no matter what age they are. Thinking that your child might be using illegal drugs can be one of the most frightening parts of being a parent or carer. Knowing that one, or both, of your parents has a drug or alcohol problem can be a scary and lonely experience.

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Parents and carers 

We never, as parents and carers, stop worrying about our children, no matter how old they are – it’s part of loving them. And when things go wrong there’s no need to feel lonely; there are other parents in the same position. There are also agencies that can help you by providing you with support and by introducing you to other parents who are going through, or have been through, similar problems. We can always learn from each other, and can always support each other.

This section of the web site gives information and advice about how to cope with and manage finding out that your child, regardless of how old they are, is using drugs or alcohol. It also contains information about the local, specialist services that might be able to help.