Podcast series helps children of addicted parents: A path to resilience

Podcast series helps children of addicted parents: A path to resilience

A serious disorder holds many families in Saxony under its spell: addiction. Those affected and their children often face insurmountable hurdles. Children of addicted parents are six times more likely to develop an addiction themselves. Such stressful family situations are never easy to overcome, and this is exactly where a helpful initiative comes into play.

In collaboration with Radebeuler Sozialprojekte gGmbH, the podcast series “What makes me strong” has been running for four years and was launched by the Office for Health and Prevention. This series is part of the GKV Alliance for Health and focuses on prevention for children of addicted parents. The aim of this project is to strengthen families and promote cohesion.

Insight into therapy

The ninth episode of the podcast offers exciting insights into everyday therapy at the “Heidehof” specialist clinic near Moritzburg. This facility specializes in giving addicted parents the opportunity to take their children with them during inpatient therapy. This means the little ones can work on their topics such as friendship and family in a protected environment - in the clinic's so-called morning circle.

The podcast particularly focuses on strengthening children's resilience so that they can better deal with a parent's addiction. In discussion groups, parents report openly about their challenges, such as recognizing their own addiction and being willing to accept help. Confidence about addiction in families is still widespread. This puts additional strain on the children and increases the risk of their own addictions or mental illnesses.

Offers of help and contact points

The podcast series not only listens to the concerns of those affected, but also offers concrete points of contact. Free and anonymous counseling services are available in the addiction counseling and treatment centers in the city of Dresden. These offers of help are essential to help at-risk children and their parents and to limit the spread of addictive behavior in society.

The ninth episode and all other episodes of the podcast series are available on the project website, where those interested can also find out more about the activities of the specialist institutions. It's a strong sign that help and support is available - for everyone affected by addiction.

Find out more about the “What Makes Me Strong” podcast series on the Website of the city of Dresden and find support in these challenging times.