Children of Alcoholics

I found this article on Betty Ford's website and thought it would be a great to share this even though it's from over a month ago. I feel that this is something the chemical dependency counseling community should always have in mind :) 

"Children affected by a loved one’s addiction to drugs or alcohol often feel isolated. One of the first messages Children’s Program staff attempt to communicate to kids in group is that they are not alone. To address this same challenge, February 12-18, 2012 was designated National Children of Alcoholics (COA) Week in order to encourage communities across the nation to help break the silence often surrounding familial alcoholism and drug addiction by reaching out in support of these children and their families.

The need for COA week is evident as statistics show that one in four children in the United States under age 18 is hurt by family alcohol abuse or alcoholism, and that countless others are affected by parental drug addiction. Strong scientific evidence shows that alcoholism runs in families with children of alcoholics being 2 to 4 times more likely to develop alcoholism than children of non-alcoholics. Parental alcohol or drug addiction is a significant factor in a large proportion of child abuse and neglect cases, and young children of alcoholics exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety to a greater extent than children of non-alcoholics. Over time, society carries the burden of increasing health care costs as these children frequently continue to experience more physical, mental, and emotional problems over their lifespan. Young children of alcohol or drug dependent parents often have difficulty in school and are more likely to be truant, drop out of school, repeat grades, or be referred to a school counselor or psychologist.

However, what is also evident is that children of addicted parents, with interest and support from family, friends, chemical dependency counselor, teachers, clergy, and others, can lessen the negative effects of familial alcoholism and drug dependence. The Children’s Program is committed to helping young COAs find ways to cope.  The program helps to foster resiliency so that these children and families may interrupt the cycle of addiction in their families. Anyone working in the Children’s Program can tell you countless stories of children’s humor, creative problem-solving, capacity for empathy and stories of hope. The seeds for health and recovery are there and often simply need the nurturance of those who can understand and provide guidance.

In honor of COA week, the California Children’s Program created an exhibit displaying art and writings contributed by children’s program alumni.  Drawing is a helpful tool for children to express feelings and problems, as well as provide a deeper awareness of how they have been affected by the disease.  The stories they have written are vessels to express their family situations.  Both give a voice to children who might otherwise never have felt safe to open up.  Patients of the Betty Ford Center were invited to view the exhibit.  Many of them shared how they were not aware that a child could be so affected by a loved one’s addiction. Others expressed that it helped them reflect on their own childhood and wished they had a place like the Betty Ford Center Children’s Program to go to when they were a kid.

Although National Children of Alcoholics Week has come and gone, we hope you will continue to partner with us in the spirit of these efforts, as we collectively provide support and guidance to families hurt by the disease of addiction."

Source: http://www.bettyfordcenter.org/recovery/news/national-children-of-alcoholics-... 

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