How to Talk
How to Talk to Children About Their Parents’ Addiction.
It is important to include talking to a child about his or her parent’s substance abuse.
The child welfare professional can help the foster parent or kinship care provider talk to the children in his or her care about the parent’s substance use or dependence.
Use the following four talking points to help guide these discussions:
•Addiction is a disease. Your parent is not a bad person. She has a disease. The alcohol or other drugs cause your parent to lose control.
When they drink or use drugs, parents can behave in ways that do not keep you safe or cared for.
•You are not the reason your parent drinks or uses drugs. You did not cause this disease. You cannot stop your parent’s drinking or drug use.
•There are a lot of children like you. In fact, there are millions of children whose parents are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Some are in your school. You are not alone.
•Let’s think of people whom you might talk with about your concerns. You don’t have to feel scared or ashamed or embarrassed. You can talk to your teacher, a close friend, or to an adult in your family that you trust.