11/20/2025
Explaining addiction to kids is hard - and with the holidays coming up, these conversations can feel even heavier.
When parents ask how to talk to young children about why mom or dad is in treatment, I always come back to the same guidance: be honest, be direct, and donât underestimate what kids can understand.
One of the simplest ways I explain addiction is like an allergy.
Some people have a reaction to alcohol or drugs - once they start, they struggle to stop. Not because they donât love their family, but because their brain is sick and needs treatment.
And when a parent goes to treatment, itâs not them âleaving.â Itâs them getting their medicine. Itâs them choosing to get well for themselves and for their family.
The holidays can make separation feel tougher. Kids notice when routines shift, when a parent isnât home, when the season doesnât look like it usually does.
But the truth is: the longer someone stays in treatment, the stronger their foundation for long-term recovery.
And when they come home, the work doesnât just stop - they keep going to meetings, staying connected, and doing what they need to do to be the best parent they can be.
This season, remember: recovery is an act of love. â¤ď¸ For themselves, and for their kids.