Celebrating Families

Addiction is a family disease. Studies confirm that alcohol and drug problems can be and often are transmitted across generations via complex biological, psychological, and social processes. Children whose parents use illegal drugs, abuse alcohol and use tobacco are at greater risk of substance abuse and physical and mental illnesses. In addition, because of their parents’ addictions, many of these children are, or have been, in foster care, and/or are delayed physically, socially, and educationally. Many parents that abuse drugs or alcohol will treat their families differently on different days, depending on their level of sobriety at the time. The mood swings and changes in parenting that these parents exhibit will foster confusion and make the child feel insecure. Inconsistent care by a parent can lead to a child that either grows up quickly and assumes adult responsibilities, or one that rebels and gives up trying to do well in school or life. Children in these types of homes can’t let down their guard and are often constantly on the defense, watching a parent that is high or drunk, irrational, or unable to care for their needs.

The goal of Celebrating Families!™ is to foster the development of whole, fulfilled, addiction-free individuals by increasing resiliency factors and decreasing risk factors.

Celebrating Families!™ is a successful, evidence-based 16-week curriculum that addresses the needs of children and parents in families that have serious problems with alcohol and other drugs. The curriculum engages every member of the family, ages 3 through adult, to foster the development of healthy, addiction-free individuals.

A typical session is designed to serve 6 to 15 families depending on the site's physical facilities, referral process and intake of eligible families. Each session begins with a family meal. Afterwards, family members break into age groups for developmentally appropriate activities led by group facilitators. At the end of each session, all family members re-connect in activities to learn how to apply these new skills and interact in healthy ways.

The model is developed for children of alcoholics/addicts and their parents, many of whom have learning differences or cognitive deficits. Celebrating Families!™ is based on recent research about brain chemistry, including skills, education, risk and resiliency factors, and asset development. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of community service and individual spirituality.