How do I figure out if my child needs help for their use of alcohol and/or drugs?
Our 'What to Do" page provides information on figuring out the level of substance use your child may have and how it's impacting his/her life and how to speak with your child about your concerns.
Where can I find substance abuse treatment for my child? How do I know its good care?
A list of CT adolescent treatment providers is being compiled and continuously updated on this site. We provide a list of questions you might ask when speaking with a treatment provider.
Who can I talk with about the issues facing my child and family?
When an adolescent is abusing alcohol and/or drugs, he/she and his/her family may have a lot of questions about treatment coverage, available services, coping and supporting your child. We are compiling a state and local resource list for CT families. Please share with us if you find a resource you find useful by using the feedback link on this site.
How do treatment providers assess my child to determine the treatment he/she receives?
Doctors, counselors, therapists and other treatment providers use a type of interview called the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs, or the GAIN, to assess what treatment your child will need. The GAIN is a type of interview being used by hundreds of agencies and systems of care in communities ranging from large urban areas, to moderately sized and small urban communities, as well as small rural areas and reservations. To achieve the most comprehensive assessment, the treatment providers use the GAIN to ask questions in eight core sections which include Background, Substance Use, Physical Health, Risk Behaviors and Disease Prevention, Mental and Emotional Health, Environment and Living Situation, Legal, Vocational. The GAIN helps treatment providers assess exactly what type of treatment is needed.