How You Can Help
Most adults can support Children of addiction in three ways. First, you can provide children with age-appropriate information about alcohol, drugs and the disease of addiction. The most important messages for Children of addiction to hear from trusted adults are:
* Alcohol/drug dependency is an illness. It is not your fault that your parent drinks too much or uses drugs, and you are not responsible for correcting it.
* You can take care of yourself by talking with a trusted person and making healthy choices in your own life.
* Treatment for alcohol/drug dependency is available and can be effective in getting a parent with addiction on the road to recovery.
* You are not alone. You need and deserve services. There are safe people and places that can help you.
Second, you can teach children how to identify and express their feelings in healthy ways, especially by seeking out and speaking with "safe" adults. You can guide them toward educational support programs at school or in your community. Such programs can help them develop coping skills to deepen their innermost strength and resilience.
Third, and perhaps most important, you can take the time to develop a healthy adult/child relationship with a Children of addiction who needs you. Children who live in alcohol- and drug-dependent families learn not to trust adults. By offering your time and an open ear to provide assurance and validation, you can counteract much of that mistrust and make an immeasurable and positive impact on a child's life.
If you are in a position to influence the adults in the family, help them find a qualified professional who is experienced with intervention and can help them get the assessment and treatment they need to begin recovery. An actual family intervention only should be undertaken with a qualified professional who is experienced in the intervention process.
* Alcohol/drug dependency is an illness. It is not your fault that your parent drinks too much or uses drugs, and you are not responsible for correcting it.
* You can take care of yourself by talking with a trusted person and making healthy choices in your own life.
* Treatment for alcohol/drug dependency is available and can be effective in getting a parent with addiction on the road to recovery.
* You are not alone. You need and deserve services. There are safe people and places that can help you.
Second, you can teach children how to identify and express their feelings in healthy ways, especially by seeking out and speaking with "safe" adults. You can guide them toward educational support programs at school or in your community. Such programs can help them develop coping skills to deepen their innermost strength and resilience.
Third, and perhaps most important, you can take the time to develop a healthy adult/child relationship with a Children of addiction who needs you. Children who live in alcohol- and drug-dependent families learn not to trust adults. By offering your time and an open ear to provide assurance and validation, you can counteract much of that mistrust and make an immeasurable and positive impact on a child's life.
If you are in a position to influence the adults in the family, help them find a qualified professional who is experienced with intervention and can help them get the assessment and treatment they need to begin recovery. An actual family intervention only should be undertaken with a qualified professional who is experienced in the intervention process.
posted by Fight Drug Addiction @ 7:13 PM
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