Parental Substance Abuse

Parental substance abuse
• Children with parents who use substances are at an increased risk for child
maltreatment. Drugs and alcohol inhibit a parent's ability to function in a parental role
and may lessen impulse control, allowing parents to behave abusively. Children in
these homes may suffer from a variety of physical, mental, and emotional health
problems at a greater rate than do children in the general population. These children
are also subject to higher rates of emotional, physical, and sexual violence; housing
instability; poverty; and physical health issues.
Alcohol misuse
• Alcohol misuse includes:
• excessive and harmful drinking.
• alcohol dependence.
Harmful drinking is a pattern of alcohol use. It can cause alcohol-related health problems
including:
• depression
• physical illnesses
• accidents.
Drug misuse
Drug misuse is a dependence on, or regular excessive consumption of, psychoactive
substances. It can lead to:
• social problems
• mental and psychological illness
• physical illness
• legal problems.
Drug misuse is more prevalent in socially deprived areas In England and Wales the most
commonly used psychoactive substances include:
• cannabis
• cocaine
• ecstasy.
Impact of parental substance misuse

Abuse and neglect
• Living in a household where a parent or carer misuses substances doesn’t mean a
child will experience abuse, but it does make it more difficult for parents to provide
safe and loving care. This can lead to abuse or neglect.
Neglect
Parents who misuse substances may have difficulty:
• staying organized and giving their children effective and consistent support
• keeping their home and family clean
• recognizing and responding appropriately to their own and their children’s physical
needs
• paying for food, clothing and essential bills (for example if their income is being
spent on drugs and alcohol)
• keeping harmful substances and equipment such as needles and syringes safely away
from their children.
Emotional abuse
Parents who drink excessively or misuse drugs can become emotionally unavailable to their
children.
Mothers with drug problems can be:
• less responsive to their babies
• less willing to engage in meaningful play
• less able to respond in ways which encourage further interaction
Physical abuse
• Parents who misuse substances may have difficulty controlling their own emotions.
Harmful and excessive drinking can contribute to child physical abuse.
Impact on brain development

Abuse and neglect are types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which can affect the
healthy development of children’s brains. The impacts of abuse and neglect on children’s
brains can stretch beyond childhood and into adulthood.
Possible impacts include:
• impaired cognitive development, for example reduced impulse control
• inhibited executive function skills, such as problems with learning and memory
• weakened immune system
Other effects
 The impact of parental substance abuse varies according to each child’s health, stage
of development, personality and relationship with their family.
 Children whose parents misuse drugs or alcohol may be separated from their parents
and/or family for short- or long periods of time due to:
• intervention from children’s services (being taken into care)
• parents being put in prison
• parents being hospitalized.
 They may have to take on the role of carer for their family. This could include doing
the housework, preparing food and looking after younger siblings
Psychological effects
Many young people talk to Childline about the psychological effects of parental substance
misuse. One girl said:
"My mum is up and down –
sometimes she’s fine and sober –
but it can quickly change and she becomes worse again…
[she] gets abusive when she’s drunk and
gets angry at me and my sisters. I don’t like being at home."
Childline counselling session with a girl aged 15
Other psychological effects include:

• preoccupation with their parents’ substance misuse
• blaming themselves for their parents’ behavior
• not being able to attend school regularly and/or having poor educational attainment
• difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships
• developing behavioral, emotional or cognitive problems
Risk factors
All families experience challenges from time to time. This doesn’t necessarily mean children
are at greater risk of abuse. But when problems mount up, it can be more difficult for parents
to cope – particularly if they are isolated or lack support.
Children who live in families experiencing multiple adversities can be more vulnerable.
These include children whose parents:
• are involved in domestic abuse
• misuse substances
• have mental health problems
• have learning difficulties.
Assessment
• Practitioners must work with children and families to identify and assess concerns and
intervene appropriately so that the impact of parental substance misuse is minimized.
• This involves carrying out a holistic assessment of the child’s development, the
parents’ ability to meet the child’s needs and the impact of broader family and
environmental factors.
• Practitioners need to identify each family’s strengths. It’s important to distinguish
between immediate concerns for the child’s safety and risks which can be mitigated
with appropriate support
Effective assessments should:

• focus on the child and their needs.
• give children the opportunity to discuss their experiences.
• listen to and record the child’s views on the situation.
• identify any children who are acting as carers for their parents and siblings.
• treat children, parents and carers as individuals.
• make sure parents know they are being listened to.
• ask questions about the parent’s drug or alcohol use.
Protective factors
Factors which help reduce the impact of parental substance misuse on children are:
• the child being able to ask for help
• parents being willing to acknowledge their difficulties and seek help and support
• the parent and child having a positive relationship
• the parent and child having good general physical and mental health
• having one parent who does not misuse substances
• being able to maintain daily routines
Giving children a voice

• It’s vital to build safe and trusting relationships with children so they can speak out
about any problems they are experiencing. This involves teaching children what
neglect is and how they can get help.
• Our Speak out Stay safe service for schools helps children understand abuse in all its
forms and know how to protect themselves.

Parental Substance Abuse

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Parental Substance Abuse

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Parental substance abuse

Impact of parental substance misuse

Impact on brain development

Other psychological effects include:

Effective assessments should:

Giving children a voice

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