Mother comforting her teenage daughter, resting a hand on her head

Children affected by familial substance use can feel alone, confused and responsible for what is happening around them.

National Association for Children of Addiction

Support for Children and Families Affected by Addiction

NACoA helps families find support and equips trusted adults with the knowledge and resources to help children affected by parental or caregiver substance use.
Mother comforting her teenage daughter, resting a hand on her head

Program spotlight

Recovery includes the whole family.

Celebrating Families! gives children and adults a structured place to learn and practice together. Explore NACoA’s program for organizations supporting families affected by substance use disorder.
16weekly sessions Age-appropriate learning and shared family practice build communication, coping, and healthy living skills.

Free resource spotlight

Explore Healing Through Art.

Discover NACoA’s free Healing Through Art guide. Download the PDF to explore the resource, or visit our resource library for more tools to support children and families.
Healing Through Art A free NACoA guide, available to download and keep.
Explore
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You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone

NACoA helps children and families understand what they are experiencing, equips trusted adults to respond with confidence, and provides proven programs organizations can put into practice.

Trusted Guidance

Age-appropriate support for children, teens, adult children, parents and caregivers.

Practical Tools

Resources and training that help professionals recognize the signs and respond with confidence.

Proven Programs

Evidence-based programs organizations can use to support children and families.

NACoA’s Experience in Practice

For more than 40 years, NACoA has helped make children’s experiences of addiction visible, understandable, and addressable. That work informs the resources, training, and programs we offer families and the adults who support them.

40+ years

of national support, education, training, and advocacy for children and families affected by addiction.

About NACoA
16 sessions

in Celebrating Families!, NACoA’s evidence-based whole-family curriculum for recovery and healthy skills.

Explore Celebrating Families!
91% more hopeful

of children reported feeling more hopeful about their family’s future in Celebrating Families! program materials.

See the program overview

For Children and Teens

 

Children affected by a parent’s or caregiver’s substance use may carry fear, confusion, or self-blame without knowing how to name it. NACoA helps trusted adults understand what children may be experiencing and connect them with age-appropriate support.

Support for children and teens

For Parents and Caregivers

 

When addiction affects a family, caregivers often need practical guidance as well as reassurance. NACoA offers resources to help adults recognize signs a child may need support, have caring conversations, and identify next steps for their family.

Family support resources

For Adult Children of Addiction

 

Growing up with addiction can continue to shape relationships, self-worth, boundaries, and well-being long after childhood. NACoA offers education and connection for adults making sense of those experiences.

Resources for adult children

For Professionals

 

Teachers, counselors, healthcare providers, and other professionals can play an important role in a child’s life. NACoA provides training and evidence-informed programs that help professionals recognize impact, respond with confidence, and support families well.

Training and programs

Questions About Support for Children and Families

Children affected by a parent’s or caregiver’s substance use may feel confused, responsible, or alone. NACoA helps families and trusted adults understand what children may be experiencing and find age-appropriate support.

Explore family support resources

A child may show changes in mood, behavior, school participation, relationships, or their sense of responsibility for adults. These signs do not tell the whole story, but they can be a reason to begin a caring conversation and seek guidance.

Learn how to support children and teens

Yes. Parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults can find practical information for recognizing when a child may need support, having age-appropriate conversations, and identifying helpful next steps for their family.

Find support for families

NACoA offers training, education, and evidence-informed programs for teachers, counselors, healthcare providers, and other professionals who support children and families affected by addiction.

Explore programs and training

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to NACoA’s newsletter for resources, updates, and educational opportunities supporting children and families affected by addiction.

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