Volatile substance use (VSU) affects not only the person who uses but also parents/carers, families and significant others. Often parents/carers and close family members live in the same house as the person using and are exposed to negative behaviours related to VSU such as lying, moodiness, aggression, psychosis, criminal activity or antisocial behaviours. Parents and families may also be concerned for the person's general health and well-being.

Parents/carers and other family members may feel a range of emotions about their child’s or other family member’s VSU including feelings of guilt, fear, anger and powerlessness. Feelings of stigma and shame can make it difficult for parents and families to reach out for help.

Effective counselling interventions

Although not the purpose of intervention, working with the parents/carers may also provide an avenue for the person using volatile substances to seek assistance.

It is important to keep in mind that parents/carers often seek help believing their child is the client. Some parents/carers will act as an advocate for the child, searching for treatment services, and focusing only on their child and their substance use. Parents/carers will often request assistance with helping their child abstain from drugs.

It is important for the counsellor to view the parent/carer as the client and shift the focus from the child on to the parent/carer. Self-care should be a major focus where parents/carers are encouraged to consider their own needs as well as their child’s.

Working with parents/carers as part of an individual client's treatment

Working with parents/carers and other family members as of part an individual client’s treatment is considered family-sensitive practice. Family involvement in treatment results in better outcomes and increases the probability the person using will access help and support.

Having a supportive family relationship can contribute to an improved outcome for the person using volatile substances. Research has shown that involving family in treatment can more effectively motivate the person using to enter and stay in treatment.

Where appropriate, include parents/carers and other family members in VSU interventions relating to young people. Parents/carers should be seen as part of the solution.

It is important to receive consent from your client before inviting parents/carers and other family members to participate in treatment. When working with parents/carers, it is also important to ensure clear policies and procedures are in place that deal with the confidentiality of everyone involved.

The following may be areas to discuss with parents/carers and significant others:

• reducing stress and anxiety
• recognising and drawing on internal resources to deal with and resolve issues
• conflict resolution skills
• communication skills
• developing coping strategies to minimise the negative impact of substance use
• developing interactions that encourage and promote positive change.

Parents/carers involved in treatment can also benefit from professional support. Being involved in the process may then encourage parents/carers to access support of their own, through the opportunity to provide parents/carers with referral information for counselling and/or peer support groups.

Information for parents/carers

Many parents/carers have limited knowledge about VSU. Therefore, the provision of information about volatile substances and other relevant information that addresses parents’/carers' concerns is helpful.

Information needs to be balanced and accurate. Simple, basic facts are more effective than complex, detailed information that may overwhelm and panic some parents/carers. It should also include information about reducing harms that some parents/carers may choose to share with their young person. However, some parents/carers may be challenged by the concept of harm reduction and this needs to be acknowledged and respected.

See the Resources page of this website for the following resources available for parents/carers and families:

•  Information about inhalants for parents & families which contains information for parents about VSU. 
• the Strong Spirit Strong Mind Sniffing and chroming: A guide for parents and carers worried about their children for Aboriginal parents and families.

Contacts and support

Information about the Parent and Family Drug Support Line (PFDSL) should be made available to all parents/carers and families. PFDSL provides a free 24-hour, confidential telephone counselling, information and support service for parents and families concerned about alcohol and other drug use. Callers can speak with a professional counsellor, and/or a parent peer volunteer who has experience living with a child with alcohol or other drug issues.

PFDSL also provides free support groups and programs for anyone affected by someone else’s alcohol and or drug use. They are facilitated by parents and/or family members with a lived experience, trained to facilitate and guide participants in a way that ensures everyone feels heard, respected and empowered, offering hope and understanding.

Parents/carers can also be a driving force behind community action and structural change. Where appropriate, provide parents/carers with information about local organisations that engage with and empower families to respond to identified alcohol and other drug issues within their community, for example, Holyoake's AOD Community Prevention Service.