Category: Addictions

Mommy’s Disease: Helping Children Understand Alcoholism (Volume 2), by Carolyn Hannan Bell, MS., LPC. (2014)

Grade Level: 1 – 2

From Amazon.com: “In an easily understood, beautifully illustrated style, “Mommy’s Disease” helps families navigate the difficult waters of alcoholism. Mila doesn’t know why her mom doesn’t show up for dinners, or soccer games or why she acts funny sometimes. Mila thinks it’s because her mom doesn’t want to be with her, that she hasn’t been the best girl she can be, that she should try harder. But, Daddy tells Mila that Mommy has a disease called “alcoholism.” She helps Mila, and her faithful dog Annie, understand what this disease is and how it affects Mommy, and the whole family. He teaches Mila that she is not responsible for Mommy’s behavior and that gives Mila the peace she needs to foster a healthy childhood. Praise for “Daddy’s Disease”: “Carolyn Hannan Bell has given a gift to thousands of children and their parents with her book: “Daddy’s Disease”. A wonderful book for children who have a parent who has alcoholism. With gentle insight and poignant stories, she introduces us to 7-year-old Tommy whose father is an active alcoholic. Like most children of alcoholics, he is confused, angry and feels it’s his fault. This is where Carolyn takes over the voice of Tommy’s mother and holds his hand and heart while she guides them through these difficult waters. This is a children’s book that everyone living with alcohol should read. Thank you Carolyn” Daniel Gottlieb, PhD Host: “Voices in the Family” WHYY FM Author: “Letters to Sam”, “Wisdom of Sam” and forthcoming “The Wisdom We’re Born With””

Wishes and Worries: Coping with a Parent Who Drinks Too Much Alcohol, by Centre For Addiction And Mental Health (Author), Lars Rudebjer (Illustrator) (2011).

Ages: 5 – 8

From Amazon.com: “Children of parents who drink too much alcohol are affected in many ways. They may experience anger, fear, confusion, and guilt. This reassuring book, written by professionals, offers information in the form of a story about one family’s struggle. When Dad’s drinking ruins a birthday party, everyone wishes that he would just stop. If only wishing could fix the problem!

Wishes and Worries is an excellent way to open a discussion between adult and child. It provides straightforward answers to common questions. Why does my parent drink? Will I drink too much, too? What can I do to help? Is it my fault? The book also includes important information for parents, teachers, and professionals. Wishes and Worries is an excellent resource for children affected by adult problems.”

“My Dad Loves Me, My Dad Has a Disease” A Child’s View: Living with Addiction, by Claudia Black, Claudia Black, M.S.W., Ph.D. (1997).

Age 5 – 12

From Amazon.com: “The basic premise of this book is that chemical dependency is a disease; the alcoholic/addict is a sick person not a bad person. This disease affects not only the addicted person but those who love that person as well. This is a book that will help others affected by chemical dependency to become well.

My Dad Loves Me My Dad Has A Disease was originally written as a result of Claudia Black’s work with young people who had a parent in treatment for their alcoholism. These children were learning at a very young age that it was not safe for them to openly talk about their family experiences. Art therapy was a wonderful medium for them to find the words and a voice in which to talk honestly. It was also a wonderful tool in which to not only share feelings but to problem solve, lessen denial, and to put words to that which was so confusing.

The original pictures were all drawn and the stories written by children age five through fourteen that had one or two alcoholic parents. After many years and thousands of children using this workbook, it has been revised to address the fact that today, if a child lives with addiction, it may not be alcohol addiction. The family member may be addicted to other drugs as well. Words have been rewritten, some pictures changed and new pictures added making it possible for more children of addiction to experience their own recovery process.

Many years ago when Claudia Black was a counselor in an alcohol and drug treatment program, she asked a six-year-old daughter of a man in treatment for his addiction if she knew why her father was in this program. The girl paused and with confidence said, My Dad Loves Me, but My Dad Has a Disease. In spite of her father’s addiction she knew her father loved her. That is a message Claudia would like all young people to be able to believe. Unfortunately when people are addicted they often lose the ability to act in loving ways toward those they love.Growing up in an addicted family usually means living by the rule: it is not all right to talk about the drinking or using in your family. Having been raised in an alcoholic family herself, by the age of six Claudia shared the feelings of loneliness, fear and frustration of her family.

Working through the loneliness, fear and frustration by expressing feelings is what this book is all about. This workbook gives children age 5 – 12 the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings and to better understand addiction.

Although this workbook was designed for and the illustrations created by young children, it may also hold insights for the now adult age person raised in an addictive home.”

I Can Be Me: A Helping Book for Children of Alcoholic Parents, by Ed.D Dianne S. O’Connor (2009).

Ages 4 to 12

From Amazon.com: “Excellent and much needed; it offers children hope and a sense of control.” -Kathleen Michael, M.H.S.S., Therapist & Consultant, Toronto, Ontario Has drug or alcohol abuse in your family caused your child to become withdrawn or to act out? Is addiction in a family member contributing to upset and stress in your child? Do you want to help your child understand the problem and communicate about his/her feelings? Do you want to help your child develop healthier coping strategies? I Can Be Me is a helping book for professionals and parents who want to help children of alcoholic parents. Written for children ages 4 to 12, it can be read by a child alone or worked through with a caring adult. Simple line drawings and text speak to children in a language they understand and are based on the real experiences of children with addicted parents. Written from the perspective of children whose parents are addicted to alcohol and various other drugs, this book helps children take off the masks that hide their true feelings and educates them about alcohol or drug abuse in the family. Entertaining drawings and simple text make this book easy to understand and invite children to add their own thoughts and feelings. Children often feel alone in homes where alcoholism or drug abuse is present. I Can Be Me helps children understand more about addiction and realize that they are not to blame for their parents’ problems. Through a series of creative exercises and activities children learn about healthy coping strategies and that they are not alone. Eight separate units make this book an ideal companion to counseling or support group sessions. Parents or counselors can also use a single section to address the unique concerns of an individual child.”

An Elephant In the Living Room The Children’s Book, by Jill M. Hastings & Marion H. Typpo (1994).

Age Range: 9 – 12 years

From Amazon.com: “An illustrated story to help children understand and cope with the problem of alcoholism or other drug addiction in the family. An illustrated story to help children understand and cope with the problem of alcoholism or other drug addiction in the family.”