An important part of helping families be aware of the impact of alcohol on their lives is to talk about it. Start early and talk often! This is even more important for families with a history of substance use disorders or alcohol misuse. But sometimes, parents feel awkward and unsure when trying to have these important conversations.
NACoA now provides guidance to help families have supportive, age-appropriate conversations with their children: NACoA’s Parents Guide: Talking to Kids and Teens about Alcohol and Other Substances. With helpful recommendations and additional resources, parents and other caring adults who want to help kids and teens be knowledgeable and safe about alcohol can feel better about these conversations. The American Academy of Pediatrics assures: “Kids care very much about what their parents think—and are much more open to talking about alcohol use than you might imagine. In fact, research shows that parents are the #1 reason kids decide not to drink.”
For up-to-date facts and statistics on alcohol consumption and its impact in the United States: NIAAA Alcohol Facts and Statics. |
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Celebrating Families! National Online Group Leader Training
May 19 – 21st Are you welcoming new facilitators to your Celebrating Families! program? Looking to grow your team as more families engage in your services? Or are you preparing to relaunch your program after a pause during the pandemic? This training is designed for you!
This is a unique opportunity for organizations to strengthen their teams by enrolling individual facilitators—no need to contract an entire training. Participants will join a national cohort in an engaging, online training experience.
Training Goals: - Explore the unique, evidence-based approach of Celebrating Families!
Learn how this family-centered program addresses the needs of children and caregivers impacted by substance use disorders. - Build confidence in using the Celebrating Families! curriculum.
Gain hands-on experience with session materials and facilitation strategies. -
Learn how to lead multi-generational educational support groups.
Develop skills for engaging participants across age groups, from children to adults. - Experience key program activities from the participant perspective.
Deepen your understanding of the program’s impact through interactive exercises.
CEUs through NAADAC will be awarded upon completion. Schedule:
Monday, May 19, 2025 10:00 am – 6:00 pm ET, includes a break 1:30 – 2:30 pm ET
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 10:00 am – 6:00 pm ET, includes a break 1:30 – 2:30 pm ET
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 10:00 am – 2:00 pm ET Cost per person: $875. Price does not include curriculum, which will be needed throughout the training.
Contact Director of Programs Mary Beth Collins with any questions.
To Register
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2025 National Drug Control Strategy Deflection and Potential for Celebrating Families!
In the newly released Statement of Drug Policy Priorities, programs incorporating deflection and prevention are encouraging. Specifically, Priority #4 Prevent Drug Use Before It Starts: Reduce the initiation of drug use, particularly among young people. As an evidence-based, whole family recovery program that fosters resilience by increasing protective factors, Celebrating Families! is an essential consideration for programs working with a treatment court model/formerly drug court model. Recovery possibilities greatly improve when families are involved in the recovery process.
Contact NACoA’s Director of Programs Mary Beth Collins with any questions about how to partner with your treatment court or law enforcement to create new youth deflection models and whole family recovery programs.
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NACoA’s CEO to Receive Ashley Addiction Treatment Center Honor
NACoA is grateful to Ashley Addiction Treatment Center for Honoring our CEO Denise Bertin-Epp with the Mae Abraham Legacy Award, that recognizes women who dedicate their lives to support recovery and transforming lives! The event will be held Thursday, May 15th. We are also excited to hear the keynote luncheon speaker Dr. Rachel Docekal, the CEO of Hanley Foundation. To sponsor the event or for registration>>
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NACoA ACOA Online Education and Discussion Group
These meetings are designed to educate adults about the impact of the disease of addiction on children, and how it can continue to affect them in adulthood. Through these presentations, adults can learn more about the impact, find hope that support is available, and learn how to heal from this impact and live healthier lives. Past meeting presentations are now available on NACoA’s website. This ever-expanding list of presentations include: What is an ACOA and resilience?; Being a Child, What It Feels Like and How it Impacts Us; Healing Through Parenting: For You and Your Family; and much more. These meetings are provided on the second Thursday of each month, at 6pm ET.
Upcoming Meetings April 10, 6 pm ET
Topic: Understanding Detachment
Presenter: Mary Kennedy, LCSW, Psychotherapist & Director, The Addictions Institute San Francisco
An elusive, confusing and complex process, developing an understanding of detachment and putting it into action is possible. It really is! ACOAs and all family members impacted by the disease of addiction can and do find freedom for themselves as the come to know and practice detachment in their relationships. Join us as we dive into a discussion about detachment that will support your growth in recovery and deepen your ability to connect with love.
To Register>>
May 8, 6 pm ET
Topic: The Power of a Love First Intervention
Presenter: Jeff Jay, BS, CADC, CIP Addiction Interventionist & Counselor
This session will discuss how to plan and carry out an effective intervention for a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder, using a Recovery Team and evidence based strategies.
To Register>>
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NACoA Blogs
Each month NACoA publishes important blogs to help educate about the impact of addiction on children, how to help kids and teens heal, and what adults can do who are still struggling with the impact. Resilience is available for children of all ages, and NACoA provides information, education, and additional resources through these informative and reflective articles. |
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Prom, Parties, and Pressure: Helping Teens Celebrate Safely and Shine Bright
Prom is one of the special occasions that most high school students look forward to for years! It's a long-anticipated night, filled with dancing, laughter, and creating memories that last a lifetime. It is important that along with the dress, the preparations for the big day, and what will happen after the dance, that safety be paramount in everyone’s mind. From transportation to peer pressure to vulnerability of substance misuse, prom safety encompasses various aspects that require careful consideration and important conversations.
For parents and other caring adults organizing this special day for their teens, NACoA provides helpful guidance: Prom, Parties, and Pressure: Helping Teens Celebrate Safely and Shine Bright. Let’s help this generation celebrate safely, boldly, and ready to make their dreams post high school come true!
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‘Anti-420 Day’ Contest For Young People To ‘Flood’ Instagram With Marijuana Warnings
420 Day is an annual cannabis-oriented celebration. The date has become the official stoner holiday on which marijuana smokers celebrate their love of anything cannabis. This Anti-420 Day program, created by Johnny’s Ambassadors – a nonprofit concerned about the harms of youth THC use - and promoted by DEA (US Drug Enforcement Administration), is recruiting TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS (no adults) to send short original videos warning their peers about marijuana use. The goal is to flood Instagram with anti-THC messages.
Students will be PAID $25 for an individual UGC video, $35 for a group video of 2+ people in a dialogue, and $50 for a professionally produced educational video or skit with adult sponsor supervision. Learn more>> |
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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26th Learn more about this important opportunity to dispose of unused/expired/no longer needed medications in a responsible manner.
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