New Hampshire ranks 2nd in the nation for binge drinking (defined as consuming 5 or more drinks within 2 hours) among 12-20 year olds.   Young adults in New Hampshire between the ages of 18 and 25 have some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug misuse when compared to young adults nationally.

Drug and alcohol misuse costs New Hampshire more than $1.84 billion annually in lost wages, increased healthcare and public safety costs. Closer to home, it costs futures and often costs lives.  It is also preventable.

3 out of 4 teens say that their parents are the biggest influence on their decisions about alcohol.  Talk to your kids!  And know that you are not alone.  Below are resources that can help you on your way

Prevention:

DrugFreeNH.org offers prevention strategies including  age-appropriate advice on how to talk to your kids.

Talk. They Hear You is another campaign of SAMHSA aiming to reduce underage drinking among youth ages 9 to 15 by providing parents and caregivers with information and resources they need to start addressing the issue of alcohol with their children early.

Addiction:

The Addict’s Mom is a group focusing on mothers of addicted children.

NH Alcohol and Drug Treatment Locator helps you find treatment using an address and radius.

F.A.S.T.E.R. (Families Advocating Substance Treatment, Education and Recovery is a peer support group for parents of children, teens and young adults with substance use issues that meets weekly in Manchester.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a recovery support group.  Meetings are right here in town.   Need help?  Call their hotline at 1-800-593-3330.

Al-Anon/Alateen is a support group for friends and families of problem drinkers.  Meetings are as close as Bedford and Manchester.

Try To Stop Tobacco NH offers trained counselors at no cost to anyone in New Hampshire.  Call their hotline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Granite State Narcotics Anonymous focuses on addiction, the obsessive compulsive behavior, and recovery from it, not on any specific drug.  Meetings are as close as Bedford and Manchester.

Easter Seals runs the Farnum Center specializing in residential substance abuse treatment and the Webster Place Recovery Center focused on recovery.

Family Willows is a substance use treatment center for women only run by Families in Transition offering an Intensive Outpatient Program and Outpatient Services.