According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA), nearly 1 in 4 children in the nation today are living with addiction. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) states, "Children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to develop alcoholism." Children whose parents are drug and alcohol dependents are more likely to suffer verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and are at risk to suffer from chronic mental health disorders, physical problems such as digestive problems and heart disease, learning problems, and they are at a higher risk of suicide." Additionally, health insurance companies only pay for treatment for the addicted one and not for family treatment.

The result often leaves untreated emotional scars that progress into adulthood, which is why Brighton Hospital is providing a treatment program exclusively for children. The Brighton Children's Program is a four-day program for children who have a significant other in their life with an alcohol or other drug problem or is in active recovery.. Children ages 7-12 will learn about the disease of addiction in age appropriate ways while meeting other children their age who are in a similar situation. They also learn self-care techniques and create a safety plan.

The Children's Program is unique to Brighton Hospital. The Brighton Children's Program will be free to all children. For more information about the Children's Program, please contact John Furey at (810) 227-1211 or call our staff at Brighton at the Corners at (248) 406-4260. Toll-free customer service staff may be reached at (877) 976-2371 for questions about any Brighton Hospital program.

Brighton Hospital Children's Program:

Dates of free upcoming programs for children ages 7-12 (registration is open to the public):

March 25-28, 2010
April 15-18, 2010
May 13-16, 2010
June 24-27, 2010

Service Site for these dates:

Brighton Hospital Campus
12851 Grand River Road
Brighton, MI 48116

Call (248) 406-4260 to learn more or for enrollment information. Reservations required.

Classes are FREE and are filling quickly, so reserve today and help a child!

Note: parents are generally invited to participate in the final 2 days of the program, and the family is invited to attend the graduation on the last day of each program. Call for details!

Since 1954, Brighton Hospital has been helping families to overcome their addiction problems.  Our top rated addiction recovery center provides rehabilitation programs focused on detoxification, alcohol treatment, residential and outpatient drug treatment, and partial hospitalization.  All drug and alcohol treatment programs are customized for each patient and may include access to 12 step programs, counseling and after-care follow-up.  Mending lives.  It's the Brighton Hospital example.

Individuals inherit complex genes from their parents, and may inherit tendencies to such chronic diseases as cancer, diabetes and addiction. But behaviors learned at home in childhood such as overeating and lack of exercise may help diabetes to be expressed later in life, while healthy lifestyles may keep it dormant for a lifetime. Growing up in a household with addicted parents and/or siblings can increase the risk of alcohol and drug abuse later in life. For this reason, Brighton's new Children's program has a few simple, and very achievable goals:

• Children of alcoholics and addicts need to know how to get help to survive the dangerous behaviors, such as their parent's drunk driving or abusive behavior, and need to know how to call out for help in an effective way.
• Children in addicted households need to know they are not alone and strange, but in fact have peers who experience the same threats they endure. They can conquer loneliness, isolation and fear that lead to depression.
• Children need normative examples so that they can find their own way as clean and sober adults, making wise choices later in life. They need to know they do not have to take up dangerous substances or risky behaviors. They need to see what normal families do, so that they don't choose addicted spouses and friends simply because they know the patterns.
• Children need to know their parent or sibling's addiction is not their fault.

CALL THE PHONE NUMBERS ON THIS PAGE FOR FREE INFORMATION ON THIS FREE PROGRAM, WITH NO OBLIGATION.