Grandfamilies of the Opioid Crisis Us & Them
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- Society & Culture
Chemical addictions and the opioid crisis have
divided millions of U.S. families. An addicted parent can abandon
responsibilities to their children. When a grandparent steps in to help, it
creates a new kind of family structure. Some call it a grandfamily. Addictions
can create a generational Us & Them divide in a household. It also
spotlights underlying financial issues that cause a strain between parents and
their adult children.West Virginia and other Appalachian states are
at the epicenter of this trend. But there’s a new effort called “Healthy
Grandfamilies.” It’s a training program designed to support grandparents when
they become caregivers the second time around.
Chemical addictions and the opioid crisis have
divided millions of U.S. families. An addicted parent can abandon
responsibilities to their children. When a grandparent steps in to help, it
creates a new kind of family structure. Some call it a grandfamily. Addictions
can create a generational Us & Them divide in a household. It also
spotlights underlying financial issues that cause a strain between parents and
their adult children.West Virginia and other Appalachian states are
at the epicenter of this trend. But there’s a new effort called “Healthy
Grandfamilies.” It’s a training program designed to support grandparents when
they become caregivers the second time around.
51 min