Live in Love Programs

• Provide an environment that allows children of alcoholics to channel their energy into positive, structured community service opportunities and recreational activities.
• Reinforce the concept of early intervention and support, which can protect children, foster understanding and build lifelong resilience.
• Encourage a safe environment where children of alcoholics can and are able to openly express their feelings about alcoholism and their experiences with the disease.

WHY WE DO IT

COA (Children of Alcoholics) Facts

• More than 25 Million Americans are children of alcoholics; nearly 11 million are under the age of 18.
• Children of addicted parents exhibit symptoms of depression and depressive symptoms more frequently than children from non-addicted families.[i]
• Children of addicted parents are more likely to have anxiety disorders or to show anxiety symptoms.[ii]
• Research has shown that children of addicted parents demonstrate behavioral characteristics and a temperament style that predispose them to future maladjustment.[iii]

All that we do at Live in Love is based on the belief that everyone deserves the chance to lead an empowered and productive life. Alcoholism affects the entire family. Through a combination of knowledge and opportunities, we strive to help alleviate the hardships often caused from alcoholism.

1 in 4 children in the U.S. are currently exposed to familial alcohol abuse or dependence.

Children of Alcoholics can be protected from many problems associated with growing up in an alcoholic family.

• The presence of caring adults and peers in the life of a child of an alcoholic supports the development of hope, self-esteem, and self confidence which seem to be keys to transcending growing up with an addicted parent

Children of Alcoholics may benefit from adult efforts, which help them to:

• Develop autonomy and independence
• Cope successfully with emotionally hazardous experiences
• Perceive their experiences constructively, even if those experiences cause pain or suffering, and gain, early in life, other people’s positive attention
• Develop day-to-day coping strategies
• Children who cope effectively with alcoholism in their families often rely on support from a nonalcoholic parent, grandparent, teacher, and other caring adults. (National Association for Children of Alcoholics)

Children of Alcoholics can be helped whether or not the alcohol-abusing family members are receiving help

• Prevention programs often help COAs reduce stress; deal with emotional issues; and develop self-esteem, coping skills, and social support. Emshoff, J.G. & Price, A.W. (1999). Prevention and 
intervention strategies with children of alcoholics.

[i] Fitzgerald, F.E., Sullivan, L.A., Ham, H.P., Zucker, R.A., Bruckel, S., Schneider, A.M., & Noll, R.B. (1993). Predictors of behavior problems in three-year-old sons of alcoholics: Early evidence for the onset of rish. Child Development, 64, 110-123.) [ii]  Earls, F., Reich, E., Jung, K.G., & Cloninger, C.R. (1988). Psychopathology in children of alcoholic and antisocial parents. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 12, 481-487.[iii] Tarter, R.E., Blackson, T.C., Martin, C.S., Loeber, R., & Moss, H.B. (1993). Characteristics and correlates of child discipline practices in substance abuse and normal families. American Journal on Addictions, 2(1), 18-25.