Caregivers

Addiction can disrupt a family dynamic, especially when a parent is the one who has the addiction. Addiction can alter a parent’s behavior such that it leads to child maltreatment, especially neglect. Children may enter the child welfare system because of a parent’s inability to care for them because of addiction, and parental overdose is a crisis situation that requires a stable environment for the children. Kinship care is the preferred foster placement as it helps to foster comfortability for the children. Although aunts, uncles, and older adult siblings can provide a home for these children, the responsibility is often acquired by the grandparents.

Grandparents

Grandparents face additional challenges that other relatives or foster parents may not experience. Raising grandchildren is a huge, long-term responsibility that can have financial, emotional, and health implications on the grandparent. Grandparents may also struggle with feelings of responsibility, shame, and anger over their child’s addiction, and grief if they have lost their child to overdose. Currently, in Ohio, there are almost 100,000 grandparents who are responsible for raising their grandchildren. AARP has compiled a State Fact Sheet for Grandfamilies that has data about Ohio grandfamilies and also has links for family, legal, educational, and financial support and resources. You can also find information through the Federal Government’s website. Grandfamilies.org is another site that provides a wealth of legal information and legal support.

Support Groups for Grandparents/Grandfamilies

It is crucial that grandparents to know they are not alone. Here are some of the support groups to help grandparents (and other family caregivers) navigate this challenging dynamic.

  • AARP: members can join an online support network and non-members have access to many articles about raising grandchildren
  • Nar-Anon: provides a 12-step program for family and friends of people with addiction
  • The Addict’s Parents United: An Ohio-based support system and advocacy group of parents helping each other navigate the family devastation of a child’s addiction
  • SMART Recovery Family & Friends: a non-12-step program for family and friends of people with addiction
  • Parents of Addicted Loved Ones: provides support through education of parents dealing with the addiction of a child

Additional Resources

The Resources page provides additional links to information, services, and organizations.