National Association for Children of Addiction

03/25/2026

Excited to be a part of this important conference. We'll present on April 20th - Celebrating Families!: A Community-Based, Trauma-Informed Whole-Family Approach to Healing Intergenerational Substance Use and Supporting Families Living with FASD. See you in Seattle!

03/25/2026

NACoA’s Tools for Educators and Staff provides essential information to everyone on the school campus. It provides a set of resources designed to deepen understanding, support emotional safety, and empower caring adults - whether a teacher, a custodian, a coach, or a PTA volunteer - to be understanding and supportive for youth impacted by parental substance use.https://nacoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tools-for-Educators.NACoA_.2025.pdf

03/24/2026

Social workers serve as the compassionate heart within families' lives by navigating complex crises, advocating for needs, and fostering stability during times of vulnerability and concern for safety. NACoA is so grateful for the role they take on to protect our children and help families in need. They so often are the unsung heroes of the most vulnerable children when families are struggling in crisis. Through this blog, learn more about this role and how families who are struggling with difficult challenges can embrace the assistance of a caring and capable social worker.
https://nacoa.org/what-is-the-role-of-a-social-worker-helping-a-family-struggling-with-a-substance-use-disorder/

03/23/2026

Happy Spring! Budding flowers, new leaf growth, and longer days remind that renewal is possible for us all. We may have had to endure a cold, dark winter, but it is time to open windows, allow the fresh air in, and revitalize! As you begin your spring cleaning, consider doing something similar for the soul. It is a good time to embrace an opportunity to renew and let go of all that is no longer needed in your life. https://nacoa.org/spring-cleaning-for-the-soul-embracing-renewal-and-letting-go/

03/23/2026

03/20/2026

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now open supporting Family Treatment Courts - deadline: April 27th. This opportunity supports States/Local jurisdictions who wish to enhance/expand family treatment courts for families affected by substance use disorders. NACoA's Celebrating Families! - a 16 week, evidence-based, trauma-informed, whole family recovery program is a best practice for these courts. Contact us if you would like to discuss how we can help enhance your court with a proven program to assist with reunification and improve family recovery. Learn more about the NOFO herehttps://www.ojp.gov/funding/docs/OJJDP-2025-172515.pdf Learn more about Celebrating Families! here https://nacoa.org/celebrating-families/

03/20/2026

Social workers are fueled by passion and love for the children and families they serve. They are a bright beacon of hope as they intervene to re-establish safety, to remind that people care, and to connect families with resources to help make a difference in their lives. Thank you social workers for all you do to help families in need, so they can find their way to brighter days. We are so grateful for all you do.

03/19/2026

Making improvements and achieving personal growth can be messy, unpredictable, and often involves taking small steps forward, as well as includes setbacks and plateaus. The growth we want so badly is often not a straight line forward. For children growing up in homes impacted by parental substance use, this may feel unacceptable. Often, because of “black and white” or all-or-nothing thinking, the impression is either that things are improving or they are a failure. It is hard to find gentleness and patience with our own progress. And yet, that is what is needed as we slowly but surely make changes in our lives that is meaningful, effective, and lifelong. When tempted to crucify yourself because growth isn’t the simple straight path you’d prefer, instead compliment yourself for all of your hard work, your ongoing commitment, and your faith that you are capable to be successful in all you hope to achieve. Keep moving forward!

03/18/2026

It is important to talk to teens about the impact of parental substance use on the family. So often youth are convinced it is their fault - and their responsibility to take care of the entire family and fix the problems! Substance Use Disorder Hurts Everyone in the Family talks to teens about what is happening, how the parental substance use is affecting everyone, and helps youth remember they are not alone. Make this available to the kids and teens in your community.https://nacoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SUD-Hurts-Everyone-in-the-Family.NACoA_.2025.pdf

03/13/2026

NACoA was created to help families understand that it doesn’t have to be this way. When support and services can be provided to children who are growing up in homes affected by parental substance use, we can help them shift from survival mode to healthy living. Without help, it doesn’t disappear in childhood - it is carried into adulthood and often recreated. Hope and healing is available to families to help ease the pain and find a different way to live. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18BvKqAbUc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/12/2026

When individuals grow up in a home affected by parental substance use, they believe that somehow they caused the issue, they can control the issue, and they can cure the issue. This belief extends to controlling other behaviors as well. This need for control is rooted in self-preservation, because the world is less scary when we believe that things are within our control. When we can accept that we can only control our own behavior, and let go of the fantasy that we can control others, we can refocus on ourselves and find great peace in our lives.