Children of Parents With Addiction: Hidden Burdens and Resiliencies

Course overview

The effects of addiction on families are typically included in addiction courses, less so effects on children. This presentation teaches how one out of 4 children are affected by trauma and chronic stress. There are neurobiological effects and lifelong consequences which may be relational, social, cognitive, academic, attachment, and behavioral. Others may not know there is addiction in the family since stigma, family secrecy rules about not talking, and fear of not being believed makes identification challenging. These children form a marginalized cohort holding the family's stigma and pain by taking on roles in the family. Services are limited for all children. Poverty, parental incarceration, systemic racism, and other forms of discrimination further affect availability. Trauma-informed adults can create a safe, predictable place to recognize, nurture, support, and develop resilience. This process can lead to prevention of the child's own use, the ability to express feelings, learn trust, feel less isolated, and heal the shame and stigma of parental use. Ways to help children and put together educational support groups will be explained.