How to Deal With a Cocaine-Addicted Parent

Many U.S. children are living with at least one addicted parent. Some of these parents are addicted to alcohol, while others are addicted to more dangerous substances including cocaine. Dealing with a cocaine-addicted parent is incredibly difficult. There is not much that can be done by younger children, but for teens and adult children of cocaine addicts, there are some things you can do to try to help your parent.

Instructions

• 1

  Encourage your parent to get help. Start by telling your parent you know he has a cocaine problem and explain that you want to help him kick the habit. If he is willing to listen and expresses interest in getting help, offer to help him get the help he needs. Your parent needs to start the healing process by admitting he has a problem and deciding he does want help with his addiction. If he does not, treatment will not be effective.

• 2

  Find a support group for yourself. Just as there are self-help groups for every type of addition possible, there are also support groups for groups of people who love addicts. Adult Children of Alcoholics and Teen Children of Alcoholics are two such groups. Don't let the names mislead you --- any group dealing with addiction will be able to help children coping with a cocaine-addicted parent. Joining a group like this allows you to discuss your feelings and problems and listen to how others have dealt with similar issues.

• 3

  Practice tough love. If you are enabling your parent by bailing her out financially or getting her out of trouble, you are not helping her or yourself. When she gets herself into sticky situations due to her addiction, you need to let her figure it out herself. By helping her or giving her money, you are allowing her to continue her addiction.

• 4

  Detach with love. This is a tough step for anyone dealing with a cocaine-addicted parent, but it is essential for your own health and sanity as well as your parent's. Explain to your parent that you still love them, but that you need to distance yourself from him and his destructive behavior. Oftentimes addicts need to hit rock bottom before they realize they need help. When a child walks away from them, it often provides the impetus they need to seek help. If your parent reaches out to you once he is seeking help, be supportive and keep in touch with him during his recovery.