Children and families affected by addiction in Tribal communities deserve support that is clear, compassionate, and guided by their own communities. This page brings together NACoA tools for adults who care for a child affected by parental or caregiver substance use. The tools can help start a conversation, but they are general resources. They do not replace guidance from a child’s family, Tribal community, or Indigenous-led services.
The National Congress of American Indians has described the ways substance use can affect families and communities across generations. NACoA responds by sharing education and support for children and families affected by addiction, while recognizing that each Tribal Nation has its own history, strengths, language, and approach to care. No single handout can speak for every community or every child. Adults can use these materials with humility, listen to what families say they need, and make room for trusted local knowledge.
A child may notice changes in a caregiver’s behavior before anyone explains what is happening. They may feel worried, angry, embarrassed, loyal, confused, or several of those things at once. A caring adult does not have to ask a child to choose between loving a family member and talking honestly about the effects of substance use. Begin by listening: “What have you noticed?” and “What questions do you have?” Let the child’s age and own words guide how much you say.
Explain in plain language that an adult’s alcohol or other drug use is an adult responsibility. Tell the child they did not cause it, cannot control it, and cannot cure it. Those ideas are part of NACoA’s Seven Cs. Children may need to hear the message more than once. They also need to know which safe adults they can talk with and what to do if the usual caregiver is unavailable. A practical support plan should be made by adults, not placed on the child’s shoulders.
Use people-first words. Describe what happened rather than labeling a parent, caregiver, or family. “Your aunt missed the visit because she was drinking” is more useful than calling anyone a bad person. Avoid asking a child to keep secrets, monitor a caregiver, or take responsibility for recovery. A child may want to talk with a relative, teacher, counselor, community worker, or another trusted person. Offer choices when possible and do not press for details the child is not ready to share.
Two short downloads can help adults prepare. Guidance for talking with kids and teens (PDF) offers language for a calm, age-appropriate conversation. The Seven Cs handout (PDF) gives children a simple reminder that a loved one’s substance use is not their fault. Both are NACoA-wide materials presented here for convenience; neither is an Indigenous-specific adaptation. Adults should review them first and decide, with local guidance, what fits the child and community.
A handout is a beginning, not a script. If a child asks a question you cannot answer, it is okay to say so and return to the conversation later. Do not promise that a caregiver will stop using substances or that everything will go back to the way it was. You can promise to listen, tell the truth as you know it, and help the child find support. For a longer discussion of words that reduce stigma, see NACoA’s guide to talking with kids and teens.
Families may also want to explore NACoA’s family support resources. Professionals can use these materials to prepare for a conversation, but should follow their own organization’s procedures for child safety and privacy. If a child describes immediate danger, respond to the safety concern through the appropriate local service. Do not turn a supportive conversation into an investigation or make assumptions about the family because of a child’s identity or community.
Indigenous children and families are not one audience with one experience. A resource that feels useful in one place may not fit another. Ask which words, relationships, languages, and supports the family wants included. When available and welcomed by the family, connect with Tribal health programs, Indigenous-led family services, and trusted community supports. Let those services guide any cultural or language adaptation. NACoA’s role is to offer support and education, not to define a community’s traditions or speak in its place.
Connection can be practical as well as emotional. A trusted adult can check whether a child has someone to call, a safe place to go, and a way to ask for help without shame. They can return to the conversation after a few days instead of expecting one talk to settle every question. They can notice strengths as well as difficulties: the child’s interests, relationships, and the people who consistently show up for them. Support should make room for a family’s existing care network, not assume that help only comes from outside it.
For educators, healthcare workers, and other professionals, respectful support begins with curiosity rather than a predetermined story about a family. Ask what the child and caregivers want you to understand. Explain your role and any limits on confidentiality in words they can follow. Coordinate with local partners when appropriate, and avoid presenting a general national resource as though it were made specifically for a Tribal Nation. Families deserve accurate descriptions of what a resource can and cannot do.
No. The linked language guide and Seven Cs handout are general NACoA tools. They are here so families and community partners can find them easily. Local Indigenous guidance should lead any decision to adapt or use them in a cultural setting.
Start with what the child has noticed. Listen, answer simply, and say clearly that the adult’s substance use is not the child’s fault. Help the child identify a safe, trusted adult they can return to with questions or worries.
Ask the family which local relationships and services they trust. Tribal health programs, Indigenous-led family services, community supports, and qualified professionals may be relevant depending on the family’s wishes and location. NACoA’s resources can complement that support, but should not replace it.
