By The Recovery Village
The Recovery Village
The Recovery Village
About our Editorial Team
Editor Camille Renzoni
Camille Renzoni
Camille Renzoni

Cami Renzoni is a creative writer and editor for The Recovery Village. As an advocate for behavioral health, Cami is certified in... read more

About our Editorial Team
Updated on 11/30/20

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

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.

Teen and Youth Help Hotline

Boys Town

This hotline can help both teens and parents.

The Trevor Project

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

Teen Addiction Hotline Finder

If parents or teens are looking for additional hotlines and helpful resources for teen addiction, they can utilize:

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

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

Indiana

Indiana Suicide Prevention

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)

St. Louis City (age 18 and younger)

St. Charles County (age 19 and younger)

Franklin County (age 19 and younger)

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

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.

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