Children of Alcoholics and Chemically Dependent Parents
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Report
Transcript Children of Alcoholics and Chemically Dependent Parents
Children of Substance Abusers
in the Child Welfare System
Naomi Weinstein, MPH, Director,
Phoenix House Children of Alcoholics
Foundation
646-505-2061
[email protected]
1
Assumptions
Child affected by parent’s use
COA/COSA – lifelong status
Children not “cured” when parent enters
recovery
Lots of ways to support and help
2
Critical Factors
Parent’s use of drugs
Child’s experience
Family dynamics
Relational issues
Protective factors
Systems involvement
Environment
3
Parent’s Use
Pattern of use
Drug of choice
Rate of addiction
Parent’s gender and role
Age of child
Duration of addiction
Family living situation
4
Parent Behavior and Illicit Drugs
Drug subculture
“counter” values
“beat the system”
Disdain for authority
Focus on money and materialism
Exposure to drug sales, violence, theft,
prostitution
High stakes consequences
Systems involvement
5
Continuum of Addiction
Use
Dependence/addiction
Treatment
Recovery
Relapse
6
Dependence/Addiction
Family Dynamics
Centrality of AOD
Secrecy and denial
Broken promises, no
trust
Lowered inhibitions
Higher aggression
Neglect
Shame, blame and
guilt
Conflict
Parent-focused
parenting
Social isolation
7
Dependence/Addiction
Family Rules
Don’t talk, don’t trust, and don’t feel
No expectations
Stay in control
If something goes wrong, blame someone
Don’t be selfish
8
Dependence/Addiction
Consequences for Children
Ignored
Pulled into conflicts
Can’t study
Abused and
neglected
Parentified
Afraid to bring friends
home
No access to
emergency services
Chaotic family
structure
Lack good role
models
Domestic violence
exposure
9
Dependence/Addiction
How COAs/COSAs Feel
Sad
Afraid
Lonely, invisible
Traumatized
Angry
Worried
Love parent
Ashamed
Guilty, responsible
Embarrassed
Parental
Confused
Depressed
Anxious
Loyal to parent
Hopeful
10
Dependence/Addiction
How COAs/COSAs Behave
Experiment w/ AOD
School problems
Social problems
Run away
Withdraw/ignore
Perfectionism
Alternative
relationships
Doesn’t trust
Hypervigilant
Hoards
Psychosomatic
problems
Anxious/depressed
Comedy
Aggression/anger
11
Dependence/Addiction
When Children are Removed
Eating and sleeping disorders
Depression
Emotional withdrawal
Physical aggression and disruptive behaviors
Academic problems
Truancy
Harder for kids 8+ yrs
Symptoms often misdiagnosed
12
Dependence/Addiction
Separation/Removal
Loss and abandonment
Fearful re: parent
May live with AOD caregiver/family
member
Possibility of multiple placements
No pause button
13
Behavior
Resiliency
Successful adaptation despite challenges
Personality traits + environment
Contextual
Dynamic process
Enhanced by protective factors
14
Behavior: Resiliency
Wolins’ 7 Areas of Resiliency
Insight
Independence
Relationships
Initiative
Morality
Creativity
Humor
15
Behavior: Resiliency
Survival Skills of COAs/COSAs
Soothe and calm unpredictable people
Negotiate peace in a “war zone”
Stretch limited resources
Find solutions to difficult problems
Prevent unavoidable disaster
Please unpleasable people
Cope in a crisis
Sense of humor
Responsibility and loyalty
Perserverence
16
Treatment
Parental apologies
Fantasies and expectations
Separation
Limited visits with parent
Not sure of parent’s whereabouts
Fear re:parent’s well-being
“Broken promises” – tx issues
17
Treatment
Intervention for COAs/COSAs
Simultaneous program
Age appropriate
Impact of PSA on family
Changing response to family situations
Intro to addiction
Intro to self-help groups
Communication skills
Understanding of risk
Identification of resilience
18
Recovery
New homeostasis
Recovery the parent’s #1 priority
Fantasies – unrealized
Denial of family issues
No AOD as a buffer
Relapse potential
Reunification issues
19
Reunification
When Families Reunify
Honeymoon period
Testing behavior = parental surprise
Tantrums
Defiance
Jealousy
Nightmares
Clinging behavior
Hypervigilence
20
Reunification
Other Issues
Unification, not re-unification
Child may be stranger to parent
Reality v. fantasy
Child’s problems
Emotional baggage
Grief and loss for past home
Past caregivers
doubts sobriety potential
renegotiate roles and boundaries
21
Relapse
Dashed hopes
Child may re-enter care
Renewed separation – erodes attachment
Pre-recovery state for child
Further cements lack of trust
22
Long-term Consequences
Suicidal ideation
Hyperactivity
AOD use
Child abuse and neglect
Domestic violence
Depression and anxiety
Somatic problems
Workplace, parenting and other relational issues
for adults
23
How to Help
Access community-based services (Alateen,
support groups, special counseling)
AOD Tx centers
Mental health centers
Schools (student assistance programs)
Family service agencies
Talking to kids
Family systems work
Reunification support
Identify resiliencies
Aftercare includes family issues
24