Indications for Offspring of Families Struggling with Addiction
Cracking the Silence: Movie Night at Big House Spotlights Kids of Addicts
In the heart of Neuwied, a sobering reality unfolds when a child's world crumbles due to a parent's addiction. Yet, these struggles often go unsaid, buried under layers of stigma and shame. To shed light on this tough truth, the Child Protection Network arranged a gripping movie night at the Big House, attracting a crowd of 80 professionals.
This year's global Action Week for Children of Addicts (COA) squarely focuses on children from families grappling with addiction. Latest research suggests that over 2.6 million kids in Germany are part of such families, with around 6,800 in the Neuwied district and city[1].
COA Action Week unlocks a worldwide discussion about the plight of these children, who Often drown in the silence that's created to safeguard families from stigma and exclusion. However, the repercussions on our young ones can be catastrophic. The mission is simple: give voice to the voiceless and inspire them to shatter the silence that binds them. For their ordeals aren't a consequence of their choice but a result of their parents' addiction.
Neuwied's Stand against the Silence
Armed with a united front, the Youth Welfare Offices in Neuwied and the city fight for the unheard. To break the silence, it's crucial to sensitize professionals to the struggles of these children. The evening at Big House showcased the movie "ZOEY," placing the critical issue under the limelight. The heart-wrenching tale of a 14-year-old grappling with her father's alcohol relapse echoes the torment faced by countless children. Torn between shouldering responsibilities and surviving the consequences of neglect, they are robbed of their childhood[3].
Post the screening, the educators shared insights, discussing strategies to address the needs of these children. Additionally, representatives from the Caritas Association Neuwied introduced two initiatives: "Chewey & Groot" and "Crazy, just as it is"[2]. Both programs offer a lifeline for kids from psychologically or addiction-affected families in Neuwied, providing support and essential touchpoints.
Numbers You Can Trust- Group offer "Chewey & Groot": Reach out at 02631/9594177 or send an email to [email protected] Caritas Fachdienst Suchtpraevention: Call 02631/987563 or email [email protected] Fachdienst Suchtberatung & Therapie: Contact 02631/987560 or send an email to [email protected]
[1] https://www.german-addiction.net/statistiken[2] https://www.caritas-neuwied.de/[3] https://www.nacoa.org.uk/[4] https://www.al-anon.alateen.org/[5] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/drug-abuse/teens/help-yourself-help-your-friends/sticker-shock-campaign
1) The movie night at the Big House in Neuwied, featuring "ZOEY," aimed to shed light on the struggles of children from addiction-affected families, focusing on mental health and wellness as part of the Science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health discourse.
2) In an effort to combat the silence surrounding these children's issues, the Youth Welfare Offices in Neuwied and the city introduced initiatives like "Chewey & Groot" and "Crazy, just as it is," providing support for kids from psychologically or addiction-affected families, contributing to the ongoing global Action Week for Children of Addicts (COA) discussion on science, health-and-wellness, and mental health.
