Prevention for Children of Addicted Parents: A Social Justice Imperative

3 Hours | 3 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Prevention for Children of Addicted Parents: A Social Justice Imperative is presented by Wendy Wade, PhD.

This program describes the chronic stress and trauma experienced by children of parents with addiction. These children's needs are seldom recognized, and they rarely receive the help and healing they deserve. Prevention is possible by also recognizing and developing strengths and resiliencies. The program covers developing support groups and includes two activities from NACoA's Children Program Kit.

Early intervention for children of parental substance and behavioral addiction is a critical social justice and advocacy priority (Suomi). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)s are traumatic childhood experiences causing lasting negative effects throughout life (Anda).

The brain architecture of traumatized children is affected, potentially causing the earlier onset of children’s own substance use, faster acceleration in use patterns, and a higher rate of substance use disorders (Solis et al.). Other potential effects can include emotional, social, behavioral, and attachment adjustment problems and challenging cognitive and academic functioning. COVID-19 has exacerbated these factors in many families. With appropriate intervention, children can experience trusting interactions, share difficult emotions, and develop healthy coping skills that may prevent their own use. Two group activities are detailed in the Children’s Program Kit from the National Association of Children of Addiction (NACoA) is demonstrated.

These and other targeted interventions have only been available to a fraction of children and families in need. Disproportionate access exists in families affected by poverty, parental incarceration, and all forms of discrimination (Gifford). The stigma of addiction, family rules about not talking outside the home, and children’s fear of not being believed make identification and intervention difficult. These children need a safe, predictable place to call their own with trauma-informed adults trained to recognize, support, and develop their resilience (Walker & Lee). There is hope, which depends on acceptance and understanding of the reality and depth of children’s needs along with their many strengths and resiliencies (Park & Schepp.)