- If you have a concern about your child’s substance use or have been ordered to undergo an AODA assessment, you should begin by contacting your primary care provider. Ask for a referral for substance use or mental health counseling in your network.
- If you or your child already have a mental health counselor, they may also be able to complete an AODA assessment.
Tobacco (Nicotine) Cessation Supports
Tobacco Quit Line: Call 1-800- QUITNOW (784 8669) or text “READY” to 200-400 to get free assistance and a customized quit plan. Plan includes one-on-one phone counseling, referral to local cessation programs and starter packs of quite smoking medications (nicotine gum, patches or lozenges). Offered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Smokefree Text Program: Text “QUIT” to 47848 to get daily text messages to support you in quitting smoking for 6-8 weeks. Offered by the National Cancer Institute at Smokefree.gov.
Vape Free program: Text VAPEFREE to 873373 for free help to quit vaping. You’ll receive tools to help you through your quit journey.
NOT for Me: a free, web-based program with 8 self-paced sessions (mobile friendly) based on the N-O-T (Not On Tobacco) program. Visit NOTforMe.org. Not On Tobacco is a program from the American Lung Association.
BecomeAnEX: Free digital quit-smoking plan developed by Truth Initiative and the Mayo Clinic. Learn more and sign up at https://truthinitiative.org
This Is Quitting: Free quit-vaping text messaging program designed for teens and young adults. Teens and young adults can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709. Developed by Truth Initiative.
Support Groups
Al-Anon, AA and Ala-Teen meetings are available both in person and virtually around the Dane County area. Email alanonmadisonwi@gmail.com or call 608-258-0314 for the most current information, or visit https://sites.google.com
Briarpatch Parent Support Program provides help to parents and caregivers of youth who are experiencing a variety of challenges including drug or alcohol misuse, mental health challenges and truancy. The group meets virtually twice a month. To join, email the program coordinator for information and a link.
Marijuana Information for Parents
These resources can help parents learn about how current trends in marijuana use and how to talk with your youth about marijuana use.
How to Talk About Marijuana: Quick tips on preparing to have a conversation about cannabis use. drugfree.org/marijuana-talk-kit
Marijuana Talk Kit: What you need to know to talk with your teen about marijuana. Created by the Partnership to End Addiction. Website
Marijuana Facts Parents Need to Know: Topics include Talking with your Kids, FAQs about Marijuana, Resources and more. Created by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a part of the NIH. Website
Parent Resource Guide: Created by statewide prevention partners NEWAHEC and AWY, this guide includes information from state and national resources about a variety of topics. Download the guide or view the guide as a flip book.
Nicotine and Vaping information for Parents
These resources can help you learn about current vaping trends and how to talk with your youth about vaping, nicotine, and tobacco.
Parent Tip Sheet: How to talk to your teen about e-cigarettes. Website
Tobacco Free Kids: Up to the minute news and trends on vaping and nicotine use. Site includes resources in English and Spanish. tobaccofreekids.org/
How to safely dispose of E-Cigarette/Vapes Guide
