Helping Children of Substance-Dependent Parents

• Overview

Children of substance abusing parents are too often troubled young people. They are disruptive in school and in the community, and their behavior will often be the issue addressed across all of our systems. Our systems are more reactive to presenting problems than focused on causal or relational environments in which troubled young people live. Yet, the compelling evidence from the 10-year Adverse Childhood Experiences Study and from the resilience literature both tell us to pay attention to early preventive interventions to protect and nurture the fragile brain and emotional development of the child. Children of substance abusing parents often are overwhelmed with the chaos, fear, and secrecy that are the hallmarks of addicted families. Most work hard to keep the family secrets and just survive the chronic emotional stress. Without help, they are likely to pay a lifetime price. These reference materials will cover issues for young, adolescent and adult children of substance-abusing parents and suggest ways for clinicians, schools, courts, and faith communities to address them.

Learning Objectives

• You will be able to discuss special issues for adult children of alcoholic parents.
• You will be able to review education and support help.
• You will be able to identify core competencies across the professions.

Authors

Agenda

Why Focus on Children of Substance-Abusing Parents

• Numbers Are So Great - One in Four

• Health Care and Societal Costs

Special Issues for Adult Children of Alcoholic Parents

• Childhood Trauma Impacts Adult Health and Mental Health

• Marital/Relationship Stress

• Parenting Impacted

Education and Support Help - Changing Life's Trajectory

• Schools

• Faith Communities

• Primary Care Settings

• Judicial Settings

• Personal Influencers

Core Competencies Across the Professions

• Early Childhood

• Social Workers

• Primary Health Care Providers

• Clergy and Other Pastoral Ministers