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Today, Addiction Policy Forum published “Helping Children Impacted by Parental Substance Use Disorder,” a resource for adults navigating what to do when helping children impacted by a parent’s addiction.
Developed in coordination with Warren County, Ohio, the toolkit offers resources for understanding adverse childhood events, what to look for if you suspect a child might have a parent with a substance use disorder, what you can do to help, and more.
"In the U.S., a significant number of children are exposed to traumatic events, often related to parental addiction. This is a priority for us here in Warren County, Ohio. This toolkit is for any adult who comes into contact with a child impacted by a parent’s addiction, and provides information on how they can help. Healing from trauma takes time, but the support of a caring adult can make an important difference in a child's life," shared Warren County Commissioner Shannon Jones.
In the U.S., over 8 million children have at least one parent with an SUD, and children who have a parent with a substance use disorder are more likely to see and hear fighting, witness crime, suffer from poverty, and lose stable relationships with caring adults. The resulting trauma can last a lifetime, however, there are effective ways for adults to respond to children impacted by parental addiction and begin the process of helping them on a better path.
“Our roles in these conversations are very important for children impacted by a parent’s addiction. When done well, they start the healing process,” shared Jessica Hulsey, Executive Director of the Addiction Policy Forum.
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