Get Support
Trained and caring specialists are ready to listen to your challenges, setbacks, obstacles and difficult emotions that go along with a child’s substance use or addiction.
Support is available in English and Spanish. All communications are confidential and services are provided free of charge, with the exception of any messaging or data rates incurred.
Ways to connect
Text for help
Text CONNECT to 55753 to contact a specialist. To allow us to provide you with support specific to your needs, you will receive a link to a brief, confidential survey in response. A specialist will reply directly to your message within 24 hours.
Please note: Msg and data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Text HELP for help or STOP to opt out. Terms and Privacy.
Email for help
Complete a short contact form to connect with a specialist over email. To allow us to provide you with support specific to your needs, you will receive a link to a brief, confidential survey in response. A specialist will follow-up within 24 hours.
Schedule a call
Make an appointment to speak with one of our specialists to ask questions and receive guidance on the best ways to support your child or loved one. To allow us to provide you with support specific to your needs, you will receive a link to a brief, confidential survey once your appointment has been scheduled.
Specialists are available:
- Monday-Friday, 10am–8pm ET
- Saturday & Sunday, 12pm–5pm ET
About our helpline
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or other caregiver — our helpline is here for you and anyone else playing a supportive role in the life of someone struggling with substance use.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach and each family is unique. Our specialists will propose a personalized course of action, offering the best tools and resources to help you help your child, yourself and your family.
“You were a safety net when I felt like I was drowning. You had resources to suggest and knew just what to say. Thank you for being there.”
Helpline Caller
Frequently asked questions
I’d like to talk to someone, but is this right for me and my situation with my child?
Our helpline specialists will meet you wherever you are on your journey. Some parents may have a feeling or suspicion that their child is misusing substances and aren’t sure what to do next. Others may have a child who has struggled with substance use disorder for years and need more resources and advice on what treatment is best. Regardless of where you and your family are, our helpline specialists will listen, help you make an action plan and empower you to seek support and resources in your community.
Keep in mind that the helpline is not a crisis line. For any emergencies you should always dial 911. Click here to better understand how our helpline differs from an addiction hotline or crisis line.
What will we talk about?
It depends on your situation and what you want to cover. Some parents simply want someone to listen to their story without judging them. Others are looking for new ways to communicate and tips on how to better get through to their child. Some parents want to work on a plan of action to tackle a specific circumstance. Every family is different, so these conversations will vary and will depend on what you need.
Is this confidential?
Yes. Everything is free and confidential. You can even use a fake name (or give no name at all) if that makes you more comfortable.
I’ve called a dozen “free” numbers and they’ve all tried to sell me treatment. How are you different?
If you’ve searched online for help or treatment for your loved one, you’ve likely encountered what are advertised as free treatment referral services — which are frequently affiliated with private, for-profit treatment providers. Unfortunately, many of these provide families with untrustworthy treatment information at a time when they need the most help. The Partnership to End Addiction is a nonprofit organization, and our helpline services are made available for the sole purpose of helping you find the best solutions for your child and your family.
Will you help me find treatment for my child?
We will absolutely help empower you to find the right type of treatment for your child’s situation. We are not affiliated with any treatment provider and will not send families to providers that we have not vetted. What we can do, if given your zip code, is direct you to trusted treatment center locators and resource lists, as well as provide you questions to ask treatment providers, advice on insurance and payment, and helpful tips when you are seeking treatment for your loved one.
What if I want to talk to someone who personally has been in a situation like mine — like another parent whose child has struggled with substance use?
While our helpline specialists offer expert advice and guidance, it does help to talk to a peer who has been there. Peer-to-peer support can be extremely beneficial and provide insight as you work to help your loved one who is struggling with substance use. To learn more about peer-to-peer support via parent coaching, connect with a helpline specialist.