As a school counsellor doing tele-counselling with students and their parents, what can I tell a father who’s 16 year old son confesses to him that he needs a cigarette because he’s addicted. The son is getting sleepless nights in agitation as he’s unable to get his usual quota of cigarettes amid this lockdown.

Questions › Category: Other › As a school counsellor doing tele-counselling with students and their parents, what can I tell a father who’s 16 year old son confesses to him that he needs a cigarette because he’s addicted. The son is getting sleepless nights in agitation as he’s unable to get his usual quota of cigarettes amid this lockdown.
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Natasha asked 3 years ago
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Dr. Aravind Raj, Dept. of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS Expert answered 3 years ago
  • Educate the father about the addictive nature of tobacco and its withdrawal symptoms. 
  • Let the father acknowledge his son’s confession positively (“I am happy that you are discussing with me about your problem) and don’t antagonise the son. 
  • Accepting his son’s behaviour will make the son to listen to his father. 
  • Father should encourage his son to seek online help through tobacco quitline at NIMHANS through toll free number 1800112356
  • If situation is unmanageable, with the help of neighbours or friends, father can bring the son to Emergency services at NIMHANS to treat him for tobacco withdrawal. 
  • The father and family members should continue to be supportive to the boy.