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Substance abuse harms anyone’s physical and mental health, but when teenagers develop an addiction, it can affect their health as well as their growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are the most commonly used drugs among American teenagers.
Additional teen addiction statistics from CDC data include:
- Approximately two-thirds of high school students have tried alcohol by 12th grade
- About half of high school students report that they have used marijuana at least once
- Around 4 in 10 high school students reported having tried cigarettes
- Nearly 2 in 10 high school seniors reported that they had used prescription medications without a prescription
- People ages 12 to 20 consume approximately one-tenth of all alcohol consumed in the United States
What Is a Teen Addiction Hotline?
Addiction hotlines exist to provide free and confidential guidance for various conditions, including drug or alcohol use disorders and process addictions like gambling addiction.
The primary goal of a teen addiction hotline is to be available for teens and parents to contact an organization for help. Free hotlines are typically available 24 hours a day and are established to address a specific substance use disorder. Teen addiction hotlines can provide assistance in locating addiction treatment options that are effective for teens who struggle with drug or alcohol addictions.
When Should I Call a Teen Addiction Hotline?
When a parent or teen recognizes that they have an addiction, they can reach out to a teen addiction 24-hour hotline. If a teen or their parents are seeking advice or counseling regarding addiction treatment, speaking with someone from a teen addiction hotline can help them find options for treatment programs.
If the teen with addiction is experiencing a life-threatening situation, however, they or their parent should contact emergency services immediately. A teen addiction hotline cannot provide emergency medical services and shouldn’t be used as a resource during a life-threatening situation, like a drug overdose or a case of alcohol poisoning.
What Kinds of Questions Will I Be Asked?
Before contacting a teen addiction hotline, some people may wonder what questions they’ll be asked. The types of questions that may be asked shouldn’t discourage someone from calling a hotline. Questions asked can vary depending on which teen addiction hotline is contacted.
Some examples of questions that someone may be asked when they contact a teen addiction hotline include:
- Verifying the caller or teen with an addiction is not currently experiencing a life-threatening situation
- What symptoms of addiction have been identified
- If the teen with an addiction has a co-occurring disorder like an eating disorder, depression or another mental health disorder
- Whether the teen with the addiction is ready to start addiction treatment
- If the organization’s treatment programs can be effective for the teen
Benefits of Calling a Teen Addiction Hotline
Seeking addiction treatment can be the most effective option for a teen with an addiction to begin recovery. The desire to start treatment may arise at any time of day, which is why it’s crucial for teen addiction hotlines to be available at all hours so that when a teen is ready to enter treatment, someone is there to guide them.
One of the most significant benefits of calling a teen addiction help hotline is finding help for addiction and hearing about available options for rehab. Even if a teen with an addiction is not ready to start treatment, they have found a hotline resource that they can trust to provide assistance and guidance when they are ready to enroll in treatment.
Are Teen Addiction Hotlines Free?
Most teen addiction hotlines are toll-free to call in America. These hotlines exist to help people find addiction treatment and the initial contact is to understand the caller’s specific addiction better. When contacting a free 24-hour teen addiction hotline, the representative will likely explore which organization and treatment program could be the most beneficial.
Is My Call Confidential?
Most teen addiction hotlines available in America are confidential and protect the identity of the caller. If you are concerned that the call is not confidential, ask the representative on the other end of the line whether the call is private. Verifying confidentiality can be the first question you ask when speaking with a teen addiction hotline representative.
National Teen Addiction Hotlines
Some national teen addiction hotlines that can help with teen addiction include:
Emergency and Crisis Situations
In the United States, 911 is the number to call if someone is in need of immediate medical help. If a teen with addiction is experiencing a life-threatening situation, this emergency number should be contacted immediately.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Available 24 hours a day
The Crisis Text Line
- Text HOME to 741741
- Available 24 hours a day
The National Poison Control Center
The poison control center assists with instances of ingesting poisonous substances, including drugs and alcohol.
- 800-222-1222
- Available 24 hours a day
Teen and Youth Help Hotline
Boys Town
This hotline can help both teens and parents.
- 800-448-3000
- Available 24 hours a day
The Trevor Project
- 1-866-488-7386
- Available 24 hours a day
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- 800-662-HELP (4357)
- Available 24 hours a day
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
- 800-NCA-CALL (800-622-2255)
- Available 24 hours a day
Teen Addiction Hotline Finder
If parents or teens are looking for additional hotlines and helpful resources for teen addiction, they can utilize:
- The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine: Several helpful resources are available on this site
- SAMHSA: This organization offers a behavioral health treatment services locator and teens can search for treatment options for adolescents in or near their zip code by using the filters on the map.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): NIDA has a specific section for teens where adolescents can learn about drug and alcohol abuse and find treatment for themselves or a friend
Local Teen Addiction Hotlines
In addition to the national teen addiction hotlines, there are teen addiction hotlines you can contact in states across the country.
Alabama
Teen Crisis Number
Arizona
Arizona Teen Crisis Solutions
TeenLifeline
Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Crisis Intervention Center Teenline
California
Teen Line
Colorado
Local Resources for Denver
While it is not a hotline, this resource can help teens in the Denver area find help for themselves or a friend.
Connecticut
Youth Continuum
Delaware
Youth Suicide Prevention and Response Support
- Call: 1-800-969-HELP (4357)
- Text: DE to 741741
Florida
Next Generation Village
While this isn’t a hotline, Next Generation Village offers addiction treatment for teens and always has representatives available to chat.
Lakeland Youthline
Broward County
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay – TeenLink
Key West Teen Line
The Teen Link Line (Miami)
Lifeline of Central Florida Teen Hotline
Lakeview Center Baptist Health Care TeenLine
Hawaii
While it’s not a hotline, this resource can connect teens in Hawaii with help for themselves or a friend.
Indiana
Indiana Suicide Prevention
- Call: 800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
- Text: IN to 741741
Iowa
State of Iowa Crisis HelpLines Teen Line
Maryland
Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline
Minnesota
While it’s not an official hotline, this resource can help teens find help for themselves or a friend.
Mississippi
Teen Line
Missouri
Kids Under Twenty One (KUTO)
St. Louis County (age 19 and younger)
- Call: 314-628-292
- Text: 4HLP to 31658
St. Louis City (age 18 and younger)
- Call: 314-485-4635
- Text: 2TALK to 31658
St. Charles County (age 19 and younger)
- Call: 636-642-0642
- Text: BSAFE to 31658
Franklin County (age 19 and younger)
- Call: 1-844-846-2501
- Text: 4CARE to 31658
New Jersey
New Jersey Youth Helpline
New York
Although it’s not a hotline, this resource site can help teens in New York find help.
North Carolina
Teen Education and Crisis Hotline (T.E.A.C.H.)
Youth Focus, Inc.
- (336) 387-6161
- Not available 24 hours a day, only from 4:00 p.m. through midnight
Johnston County Teen Line
Dial-A-Teen
Teen Talkline
Wilson Crisis Center Teen Help Line
Family Services Inc. Teen Line
Ohio
Athens Teen Line
Chillicothe Crisis Center Teen Line
Columbus Suicide Teen Hotline
First Call for Help, Inc.
Oxford Community Counseling and Crisis Center
Warren Community Connection
Oklahoma
Kiowa Teen Suicide Prevention
Oregon
Youthline
- Call: 877-968-8491
- Text: teen2teen to 839863
Pennsylvania
Holy Spirit Hospital
South Carolina
Greenville Mental Health Association Teen Line
Tennessee
CONTACT of Knoxville Teen Line
Texas
Houston Crisis Hotline TeenLine
Dallas Community Crisis Hotline Teen Line
Virginia
ACTS Helpline Teenline
Martinsville Teenline
Washington
Crisis Clinic Resource Network
Richland Teen Line
Seattle Teen Line
This resource also provides help for teens or their friends.
Wisconsin
COPE Services
If you or a teen you know is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, help is available. At The Recovery Village, a team of professionals can design a treatment program to address substance use and co-occurring disorders in teens and young adults. Call and speak with our representatives to learn more about which treatment could work for you or a loved one.
Arria, Amelia M. Ph. D et al. “National Trends in Adolescent Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Availability: 2003-2010.” J Child Adolesc Subst Abuse, May 5, 2015. Accessed May 7, 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Teen Substance Use and Risks.” April 1, 2019. Accessed May 7, 2019. Washington State Department of Health. “Youth Suicide Prevention.” (n.d.) Accessed May 7, 2019. NYC Health. “Teen Health: Resources.” (n.d.) Accessed May 7, 2019. Youth M.O.V.E. Minnesota. “Resources.” (n.d.) Accessed May 7, 2019. The Hawaii Teen Muzik Festival. “Support Resources.” (n.d.) Accessed May 7, 2019. Evolver, Denver Public Library. “Local Resources.” (n.d.) Accessed May 7, 2019. NIDA for Teens. “Have a drug problem—need help?” Updated April 09, 2019. Accessed May 7, 2019. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.” (n.d.) Accessed May 7, 2019. Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. “Substance Use Resources For Adolescents and Young Adults.” 2019. Accessed May 7, 2019.
