Teen concerned over addicted huffer mom

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 17-year-old girl and I caught my mom sniffing nail-polish remover.

She obviously doesn't want me to know because she tries to hide it.

I don't know what to do. I don't know why she would want to do this. It's something people my age would do. I know better than to do that.

Should I talk to her about it? She'll probably make up some excuse, like she likes the smell.

She sometimes tells me I need to grow up because I can act silly. But honestly, she is the one who needs to grow up.

I want to help her because I know what she's doing is not good for her.

But how?

- Knows Her Secret

in North Carolina

DEAR KNOWS: Your mother may have an acetone addiction. Because you can't persuade her to take your concerns seriously, tell another adult ASAP what's going on - a relative, your father if he's in the picture, a teacher or counselor at school.

This kind of inhalant addiction is serious because in high concentrations acetone is a nervous-system depressant. This means it can slow a person's heartbeat, respiration and metabolism, causing a person to become dizzy and confused and to pass out. It can also damage the vital organs - the heart, liver, kidneys and the bone marrow - and cause cardiac arrest and death.

A support group for the children of addicts, such as Alateen, could give you emotional support. To find one, visit al-anon.org.