Children of Alcoholics Week
ALCOHOLISM IS A
FAMILY DISEASE
“If you’re not the child of an
alcoholic, you may be close to
someone who is: your spouse,
your son-in-law, or your friend.
Alcoholism is a family disease:
every one who has been
touched by it has been affected
in some way. If you can help
them understand how family
alcoholism works, you may
help them avoid a number of
serious risks to which they are
susceptible.”
Children of Alcoholics
Foundation
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
National Association for
Children of Alcoholics
301-468-0985
http://www.nacoa.org
Children of Alcoholics
Foundation
646-505-2060
http://www.coaf.org
National Clearinghouse for
Alcohol and Drug Information
1-800-729-6686
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov
The Cecil County Health Department is pleased to announce the department’s
observance of Children of Alcoholics & Other Drug Dependent Parents Week,
February 11th through 17th. This year’s theme, A Celebration of Hope and Healing, reminds us to “break through the barriers of shame, silence and isolation, so
that the children can live healthy and happy lives despite their families’ problems.”
According to National Association for Children of Alcoholics, Seventy-six million
Americans, about 43% of the U.S. adult population, have been exposed to alcoholism
in the family, and nearly one in five adult Americans, 18%, lived with an alcoholic
while growing up. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more
than one of every four adults with alcohol problems, has at least 1 child under age
18 living at home. These children are silent victims who, according to experts, suffer
as much or more than their alcohol-abusing parents.
The children of alcohol and drug abusing parents are more likely to experience
mental and physical problems and are at a greater risk of being neglected and/or
abused. Hospital admission rates for Children of Alcoholics (COAs) are substantially higher than for children from nonalcoholic families. COAs tend to score lower
on tests that measure cognitive and verbal skills, and are more likely to be truant,
drop out of school, and repeat grades.
These children are also more likely to
be the target of physical abuse and to
witness family violence, and are two
to four times more likely than other
children to become addicted to alcohol
themselves.
National Center for Substance
Abuse Prevention
240-276-2420
http://prevention.samhsa.gov
Cecil County Health
Department
Alcohol and Drug Center
410-996-5106
www.cecilcountyhealth.org
ALATEEN – MEETING
SCHEDULE:
Mondays - 8:00 p.m.
The most important message for these
children is that they are not
responsible for the problems of adults
in their homes and that their own
lives can be different and better than the lives of their alcohol-abusing parents/
guardians. They also need to know help is available for them and how to get it.
Early-Intervention programs, like the Health Department’s Life Skills program
provided at Cecil County middle schools, as well as Individual and Family Counseling, help COAs reduce stress; deal with emotional issues; and develop self-esteem,
coping skills, and social support. Additionally, community groups, including
ALATEEN, provide support and fellowship for teenagers whose lives have been
affected by someone else’s drinking.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church,
2501 Emmorton Road,
Abingdon, Maryland
Mondays - 8:00 p.m.,
St. Mark’s Library
1700 Limestone Road,
Stanton, Delaware
The Health Department encourages caring adults to support the well-being of all
children, especially those who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction in their
families. During COA Week, the Health Department’s Alcohol and Drug Center will
distribute informational brochures and provide guest speakers for staff and patients.
The guest speakers will help promote the importance of including all family
members in the treatment of addiction.