True/False
True or False?
Addiction doesn't just impact the person who is misusing drugs/alcohol, addiction can impact everyone in the family.
True-
Addiction can impact everyone! It's important to focus on taking care of your own thoughts / feelings if you've been impacted by addiction.
What is trauma?
Trauma is a mental, emotional, and physical experience in response to a scary or life-threatening situation
What is addiction?
A disease that affects the brain and makes it hard to stop using a substance.
Name two ways you like to relax, other than sleeping.
(opinion, answers will vary)
True/False?
After a kid or teen has experienced trauma, they're stuck with it forever. There is nothing a kid can do to heal from trauma.
False! Healing is absolutely possible :) Often times teens who can heal from scary events are more resilient than their peers who have never experienced any traumatic events.
True or False?
A child should keep a parent’s addiction a secret no matter what.
False.
A child should always talk to another adult they trust if they think their parents are misusing drugs/alcohol. The sooner a child tells, the sooner they can get the help they need for themselves and their family. Sometimes parents do not accept help, but that's not a child's responsibility, the only thing a child can do is tell.
Name two different type of events that can cause trauma
Car accident, abuse, shark attack, getting lost for a long period of time, parent addiction, neglect, bullying
(any event can be a trauma if it overwhelms someone's ability to cope and they feel afraid for their safety)
Can a parent love their child when they are struggling with addiction?
Yes! A parent can love a child while also being addicted to drugs or alcohol. Addiction can change a parent's priorities, but it doesn't change a parent's love.
What is a coping skill and why is it important?
Coping skills are strategies and tools you can use to help deal with uncomfortable or overwhelming emotions.
Coping skills help us stay in control of our emotions rather than our emotions being in control of us.
Examples of coping skills are: deep breathing, taking a shower, exercise, playing a game, changing your thoughts to helpful thinking
What is a protective factor?
A protective factor is something or someone in your life that reduces the negative consequence of a trauma or stressor.
For example: if playing football makes you feel less stressed and helps you cope, then football might be a protective factor for you.
True or False?
Children can make their parents addiction worse by having bad behavior.
False!
Children are never to blame for their parents' addiction. Children cannot make an adult's addiction worse or better, no matter how "good" or "bad" they behave.
How can trauma affect a person?
(Answers may vary)
Trauma can affect feelings, thoughts, behavior, and the body. Someone who has gone through a traumatic event may have nightmares, anxiety, anger, difficulty eating/sleeping, feel more on edge, have trouble concentrating, trouble relaxing, etc
How can a parent’s addiction affect a child?
Parent substance abuse can impact a child's mental, emotional, and sometimes physical health. It can make children more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or intense feelings of anger. It can impact a kids behavior, performance in school or sports, cause lower self-esteem, etc. Just because kids are more likely to experience these things, doesn't mean they can't heal from them or protect against them.
Martin was recently accused of cheating on a test. He knows he didn't cheat, but his teacher said he did and now his caregiver is being called to come in to school to talk about it with the principal. His heart is beating fast, his face is red, and he has the urge to run out of the classroom. Martin feels angry and helpless. What coping skill could Martin use to help him calm down in this moment?
Deep breathing
Categories
5-4-3-2-1 grounding
Drawing
Run laps around the track
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
How can being able to change your thoughts heal you?
After experiencing something scary or upsetting, our minds try to protect us by thinking more negatively (AKA unhelpful thoughts). If you can begin to notice your negative thoughts, you'll be able to change them to more helpful thoughts. (Example: "I'm never going to be good at math" to "I could use some more help with math"). Changing your thinking can change your feelings and behaviors and can make healing easier.
True or False?
Many children of parents with addiction feel responsible for fixing the problem.
True.
Often kids with parents with addiction want to try to fix the problem, or convince their parent to get sober, because they love and care about their parent. Unfortunately, kids cannot fix addiction. Only adults can make that decision for themself.
What helps people heal from trauma?
Many things can help someone heal from trauma! Some examples:
supportive people in your life, therapy, using coping skills, nature, spirituality/religion, hobbies, some medication, rest, healthy habits
How can a child stop someone they love from abusing drugs/alcohol?
A child can not stop an adult from abusing drugs/alcohol. Addiction is a disease and can be very complicated. It is never a child's responsibility to stop an adult from using drugs/alcohol, or to try to "keep them sober". People with addiction can get help from doctors and therapists only when they are ready.
Name someone you look up to.
Now name a few ways they like to relax when they feel stressed or have a hard day.
(opinion)
Who are safe people and can you give an example of a few safe people" in your life?
Safe people listen to you, care about you, and aresafe and trustworthy. They could be a family member, teacher, coach, religious leader, the parent of a close friend, or neighbor.
True or False?
It’s okay for kids to talk about their feelings related to a parent’s substance use.
True:
It's healthy to express your feelings about your parents addiction, no matter how angry or upset you feel. Those experiences are too much to feel alone, and you deserve support. There are plenty of other kids going through the same thing, and talking about your experience may help others.
How does your body feel when you are stressed vs when you are relaxed?
Stressed: tight muscles, racing thoughts, holding breath/shallow breathing, hot face/ears
Relaxed: relaxed muscles, deep breaths, normal body temperature, slower speech/thoughts
How many kids in the United States have a parent who struggles with addiction?
19 million children, or 1 in every 4 kids, have one or more parent who struggles with addiction.
What is progressive muscle relaxation?
Progressive muscle relaxation is a common tool people use to relax their muscles and take away physical stress.
To do it, you focus on one muscle group at a time, tighten that area, then release.
What are the seven c's?
I didn't CAUSE it, I cannot CONTROL it, I cannot CURE it.
But-! I can take CARE of myself by COMMUNICATING my feelings, making good CHOICES, and CELEBRATING myself.