Youth and Children Impacted by Addiction in the Family: A Resource List
Photo credit: rbspychiatry.com
Adults are not the only caregivers, nor the only ones challenged to make sense of—or at least respond to—substance use disorder in a Loved One. But the needs of youth and children in such situations differ in important ways from those of adults. Of course, Allies in Recovery is here to help. For those seeking further means of support, this list is a great starting point.
Organizations:
Alateen – www.maineafg.org/alateen
NACoA (National Association for Children of Addiction) – www.nacoa.org (Support for children of parents struggling with addiction. Resources, trainings, videos, etc.). Also “Just for Kids”: www.nacoa.org/families/just-4-kids, and “Just for Teens”: www.nacoa.org/families/just-4-teens
Children’s Program (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation) – www.hazeldenbettyford.org/treatment/family-children/childrens-program (Provides education and support for youth who have a parent with a substance use disorder).
Sesame Street in Communities – www.sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/parental-addiction (Activities, videos, and resources to support families in recovery).
Adfam – www.adfam.org.uk (Mission is to improve life for families affected by drugs and alcohol by supporting families and professionals while advocating for change).
Confident Kids Support Groups – www.confidentkids.com (Network of faith-based support groups that help children living with addiction in their homes and communities).
YMCA Youth and Family Services – https://ymcanyc.org/locations/counseling-service/services/family-association. Includes The Family Association, a network of parents, guardians, spouses, and other adult family members.
Curricula:
Building Resilience in Kids (BRiK) – A psychoeducational, group-based curriculum for children, ages 5-11, in families affected by substance use, mental illness and domestic violence). Search for “Brik” at: https://www.healthrecovery.org/publications
The Children’s Program Kit – Over 100 skill-based and developmentally appropriate lesson plans to support youth of parents struggling with addiction. https://nacoa.org/childrens-program-kit/
Celebrating Families!™ – www.celebratingfamilies.net (Evidence-based, cognitive behavioral, support group model for families with parental substance use disorder).
The Landing – Christian-based, psycho-educational program for youth whose parents/caregivers are in recovery. https://celebraterecoverystore.com/the-landing-celebrate-recovery-for-students-kit.html
Nurturing Program for Families in Substance Abuse Treatment & Recovery – www.healthrecovery.org (Evidence-based program helps parents explore their own histories and family impacts, while building skills for family recovery).
Grief Support for Youth:
The Children’s Room – www.childrensroom.org (Bereavement support for youth and families, including from addiction-related death).
National Alliance for Grieving Children – www.childrengrieve.org (Resources for children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one, and for those who support them, including addiction-related death).
Books:
Andrew J. Bauman, Floating Away: A Book to Help Children Understand Addiction
Claudia Black, Straight Talk
Cheri Colburn & Joseph Pfeffer, Howler: A Wolf on the Road to Recovery
Hannah Evans, The Letter: Annie Appalachian Adventures
Shelly Flake, Jumper: A Children’s Story About Separation Trauma, Addiction and Healing
Various books authored or co-authored by Jerry Moe:
Discovery: Finding the Buried Treasure
Understanding Addiction and Recovery Through a Child’s Eyes
Kids’ Power: Healing Games for Children of Alcoholics (with Don Poheman)
Kids’ Power Too!: Words to Grow By (with Cathey Brown and Betty LaPorte)
Conducting Support Groups for Elementary Children K-6: A Guide for Educators and Other Professionals (with Peter Ways)
Jessica Lahey, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids In a Culture of Dependence
Melody Ray, Someone I Love Died of a Drug Overdose
Laura Washington, A Sickness You Can’t See
Alan Wolfelt, How I Feel: A Coloring Book for Grieving Children