There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. And when it comes to alcohol problems, whether they’re yours or someone else’s, getting help is the smart thing to do. If you can’t approach a member of your family about this problem but need help or support, there are many good alternatives. Try talking to a trusted friend, a teacher, your doctor, a professional counsellor or contact any of the organizations listed below. 

• If your life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, Alateen may be able to help. Alateen is part of Al-Anon, a worldwide organization that offers a self-help recovery program for families and friends of alcoholics, whether or not the alcoholic seeks help or even recognizes they have a drinking problem. It’s designed for young people and allows members to give and receive comfort and understanding through an exchange of experiences, strength and hope. There are no dues or fees and there is a policy of anonymity.

  Call 1-800-714-7498 toll-free or look in your local phone book under Al-Anon for information or meeting locations near you. You can also visit their World Service Homepage at www.al-anon.alateen.org. In the London area, call Al-Anon at (519) 672-7310. In Ottawa, call the Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups at (613) 860-3431. For Sarnia, call (519) 337-5211. In Toronto, call 416 410-3809.

• Kids Help Phone provides anonymous and confidential counselling, information and referral services in English and French, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It serves kids aged 4-19. It doesn’t record calls or phone numbers, you don’t have to give your name, and no one will know that you called or what you talked about. They never use call display or call tracing and never call callers back. Call 1-800-668-6868 toll-free from across the province, or visit their Web site at: www.kidshelpphone.ca. 

• To learn more about alcohol and its effects, call the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH’s) Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Information Line at 1-800-463-6273. In Toronto, call 416 595-6111. The service is free, completely confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Recorded messages are offered in English and French. As well, information on some topics is available in a variety of other languages. Between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., you can also choose to speak to a staff member who will help you find the information you need. Your call will be kept in complete confidence. 

• The Substance Abuse Network of Ontario (SANO) is another good resource for information, which is supported by CAMH staff, including those in CAMH’s Library and Information Centre. Check out their Web site at: http://sano.camh.net.

• For information on treatment services in your community and throughout Ontario, call the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART) at 1-800-565-8603 or visit their Web site at www.dart.on.ca.

• Alcoholics Anonymous has groups across Ontario. Look in the phone book for the group nearest you. The Web site (www.alcoholics-anonymous.org) explains how the organization can help, includes “A Message to Teenagers,” and offers a variety of pamphlets. 

For more information, contact:
LCBO Social Responsibility Department
Tel: 416 864-6820
Fax: 416 864-2431
Online: www.hellolcbo.com