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Online Support Groups for Children of Drug Addicts

Drug addiction affects not only the individual, but also the addict's entire family. As the child of an addict, you may wonder why your parent uses drugs or how to prevent yourself from becoming an addict. Support for the children of drug addicts includes in-person meetings, but some people have problems with transportation or feel uncomfortable discussing their issues face-to-face, and prefer online resources.

  1. Real-Time Chat

    • To ask questions and share stories for immediate feedback, you need a real-time support group that functions like a face-to-face meeting, but with the anonymity of the Internet. Al-Anon -- an organization affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous and dedicated to supporting family members affected by substance abusers -- offers regularly scheduled meetings that you attend via a chat window.

    On-Demand Support

    • Using web-based chat, an on-demand meeting lets you request help when you need it, for real-time support outside of regularly scheduled meetings. Families Anonymous provides 12 steps for family members of addicts through on-demand e-meetings, which you request on its website.

    Public Forums

    • Chat isn't the best venue for all issues children may face. For kids who need more space or time to answer questions, an online forum or bulletin board will provide a place to post questions and look for responses. The Sober Recovery Community, centered around a basic 12-step addiction recovery program, includes a plan for family and friends of addicts. Its forums, organized by type of substance abuse and each step, may be viewed by the public, but only those registered on the website can post. Registration is free, and choosing an anonymous screen name helps protect your privacy.

    Private Forums

    • Private forums offer a venue that's available only to registered users. You can log in from any computer to post and check for replies, but as with any support website, you can protect yourself by logging out and clearing your browser history if you use public computer or one shared by a substance-abusing parent.

      Find the Light uses the 12-step underpinning, but it focuses more broadly on psychological issues, in addition to substance abuse, as those who suffer from mental illness often use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate. The Online Support Groups section allows you to connect with others in your situation.

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