Praesum Healthcare and Sunrise Detox Spotlight Children of Alcoholics Week
Growing up with a parent struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) presents significant challenges for children. This Children of Alcoholics (COA) Awareness Week (February 9-15, 2025) aims to shed light on the struggles faced by children impacted by parental alcohol use and to mobilize supportive adults and organizations to help.
At Praesum Healthcare, we stand with the behavioral health community in raising awareness about this often-hidden issue and ensuring families have access to the services and resources they need to fight alcohol use and addiction.
About Children Of Alcoholics Awareness Week
National Children of Alcoholics Week is an annual global campaign that takes place during the week of Valentine’s Day, emphasizing the urgent need to support children affected by parental alcohol misuse.
Substance use disorders don’t just affect the individual—they impact entire families. Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment, yet many grow up feeling ashamed, isolated, and forced to take on adult responsibilities too soon.
Unfortunately, many families keep their daily struggles hidden, making it difficult for children to get the support they need. Breaking the silence is critical to addressing the problem and providing effective intervention.
Children living under the duress of these environments might become withdrawn or develop behavioral or mental health disorders.
As they grow in age and responsibility, they may have taken on responsibility for caring for parents or siblings, adding to their own lurking trauma.
Key Family Challenges Related to Parental Alcohol Use:
- Loss of quality family time
- Feelings of embarrassment and shame
- Social isolation and mistrust of others
- Marital strain or divorce
- Increased risk of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
- Financial instability
Children in these environments are especially prone to behavioral issues or struggle with their own mental health, sometimes carrying the impact of their experiences into adulthood.
Helping Children Understand That They Can’t "Fix" a Parent’s Addiction
One of the most difficult aspects of growing up in a household with parental alcohol misuse is the mistaken belief that a child can somehow "fix" or "save" their parents.
Children often develop deep-seated guilt or feel personally responsible for their parents’ conduct and behavior, leading to stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Parents might clearly be under the influence of alcohol when the kids come home from school, perhaps slurring their words or stumbling around, or the mother and father may well appear more prone to excessive emotion or unpredictable or even aggressive at home.
Living with a parent who misuses alcohol can leave children feeling isolated, confused, and ashamed. It’s so rarely talked about within a family, and attempts are made to conceal it.
Even when a parent seeks detox and treatment, the child may believe that everything will return to normal—only for them to realize that recovery is a long-term process with its own dramatic ups and downs.
That’s why it’s essential to help children understand:
- They did not cause the addiction
- They cannot control or cure it
- Their well-being matters just as much as their parent’s recovery
A parent’s alcohol misuse can disrupt relationships, create instability, and cause long-term emotional distress for children.
Supporting Children to Make Healthy Choices
By shifting the focus from a parent’s addiction to a child’s own well-being, families can help children build resilience and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
At Praesum Healthcare, our mission extends to supporting the children of those struggling with substance use disorder, ensuring they have the guidance and resources to navigate their disparate experiences.
One of the best ways to break the cycle of addiction is for parents to seek treatment and commit to lasting recovery.
For 20 years, Sunrise Detox Center, part of the Praesum Healthcare network, has helped families navigate the recovery journey, providing compassionate and medically supervised detox services that serve as the first step toward healing.
However, recovery isn’t just about the individual—it’s about ensuring the entire family unit can heal together. For many, this means supporting a parent in recovery but not bearing the weight of that recovery on their shoulders.
Choosing the Right Detox and Treatment Path for Alcohol Use Disorder
Detox is often the first step in the recovery process, followed by continued treatment through:
- Inpatient (Residential) Rehab – Intensive, structured treatment with therapy and support
- Outpatient Treatment (IOP, PHP) – Flexible programs allowing patients to stay at home while receiving care
- Family Therapy and Counseling – Helping loved ones process trauma and rebuild trust
At Praesum Healthcare, we understand that involving family members in treatment improves long-term recovery success. That’s why we provide specialized support for children and spouses affected by addiction.
Addressing substance use disorder within a family requires an open, honest, and guided approach. Under the guidance of therapists, family members can:
- Express and process anger, sadness, and confusion
- Set healthy boundaries to avoid codependency
- Develop skills for long-term sobriety and accountability
Request Substance Use Treatment
Children of Alcoholics Awareness Week is a reminder that no child should face the struggles of parental substance use alone. A timely reminder to us all, on behalf of the nation’s youngsters, to raise awareness of children affected every day by parental problems with substance use disorders.
If you or a loved one needs help, reach out today. Find out how you can help children of all ages know that they are not alone. Call us at 888-443-3869 — our team is available 24/7 to guide you toward healing.
No family should have to struggle in silence. Support is available, and recovery is possible.