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.