It is crucial to prioritize supporting children during the holidays when one or more parents are suffering from addiction. The holiday season can be especially challenging for families affected by substance use disorders, as it can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and sadness. By providing a safe and nurturing environment, offering stability and routine, and creating positive holiday memories, caregivers can help children navigate these difficult times with strength and resilience. Offering emotional support, understanding, and open communication can make a significant difference in helping children feel loved and secure during the holidays.

The National Association for Children of Addiction has resources available specific to help children in these environments. One of these resources is a .pdf with suggestions and tools to help kids and teens in an household where one parent is actively abusing alcohol or other substances. The .pdf is geared toward parents and other important caregivers such as grandparents, kin caregivers, and even older siblings. The .pdf can be downloaded for interested parties.

You can find more addiction treatment and child development resources by selecting the “Addiction Treatment” and or “Child Development” category tab on our Social Service “Utilization Library” page.