According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA), one in four children lives with a family member who has an addiction to drugs and alcohol, translating to over 18 million children per year suffering in silence with the effects parental alcoholism.
These children often live their lives feeling hopeless and have a higher possibility of succumbing to alcoholism in their lives. Children of Alcoholics Week aims to change these statistics by raising awareness of this societal disease.
History of Children of Alcoholics Week
As a week-long campaign sponsored by The National Association for Children of Alcoholics, Children of Alcoholics Week raises awareness about the effects alcoholic parents have on children and hope to offer them a chance at a better future.
According to NACOA, Children of Alcoholics Week aims to break the silence that parental alcoholic addiction has on them. Alcoholism has become an international health epidemic across the world, and even as child welfare programs have been continually supporting these children, there are still many children out there who face this issue and suffer those consequences.
NACOA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, offers a variety of programs and products made to help support those in need of alcohol prevention and for the children, this week is about sharing their experiences and finding healing. By providing the latest in research and working with organizations across the globe, NACOA hopes this holiday will be able to change the course of a child’s life through awareness and social action.
Throughout the week, members of NACOA spread awareness through various school programs, consultations, and leadership events in public policy and allow people to donate to their organization so they can continue their research and offering their programs.
How to Celebrate Children of Alcoholics Week
Take this opportunity to use some of the resources NACOA has to offer, such as their social media toolkit and distribute flyers around your local area. Head on over to your local church and local governments to petition support for the cause and convince your local officials about the costs and programs that could be in place in public schools.
Speak out about these issues using NACOA’s research and statistics to convince others to help those children in need. Share this holiday on social media using the hashtag #ChildrenofAlcoholicsWeek to let your friends and family know you support his cause and want to protect children out there from the harms of alcoholism.
