Parental Substance Use

Addiction to drugs and alcohol is becoming more prevalent in our society – a trend parents are not immune to. According to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, about 1 in 8 children ages 17 or younger are living in households with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder (SUD).

 

For a parent dealing with addiction, their reliance on drugs or alcohol has the potential to negatively impact a child’s health, safety, and well-being. But neither drug use nor drug abuse automatically means that a parent is neglecting their children. When does parental substance use cross the line to be considered child abuse or neglect under the law?

When is Use Considered Abuse?

Between the societal acceptance of drinking, the recent legalization of marijuana, and the unrelenting opioid crisis, alcohol and drugs are available on nearly every street corner and in many doctors’ offices. Add to that the increasing presence of illicit drugs, and it becomes clear how use can easily slide into misuse.

 

“There is help in the community,” said Jennifer Faringer, Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester Area (NCADD-RA). NCADD-RA’s programs are centered around prevention to break the cycle of addiction. “We focus on hope and decreasing the stigma of addiction.”

 

A substance use disorder (SUD), as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is when recurrent use of substances “causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.” Substances can include alcohol, legal drugs (including prescription and over-the-counter medications, which can be taken for nonmedical purposes or in unintended ways), and illegal drugs (e.g., methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin).

 

Children are exposed to the glorification of substance use through advertising and social media, but when they’re exposed to actual substance use or drug activity in the home, they can suffer trauma and other adverse mental and physical health effects.

 

Just using a substance does not necessarily mean a person has a SUD. However, even without meeting the criteria for a SUD, a parent using substances can still trigger negative consequences for their children.

Exposure to Alcohol and Drugs

Not all of the 8.7 million children living in households with a substance-using parent will experience abuse or neglect. But because drugs and alcohol can impair a parent’s caregiving abilities, children are at an increased risk for maltreatment. In addition, children exposed to substance use by a parent are at an increased risk for engaging in it themselves.

 

Some of these adverse effects of parental substance use include parental neglect, prenatal substance exposure, exposure to substance use or illegal drug activity in their households.  

 

Below are instances that may be considered abuse or neglect based on evidence gathered to reflect the impact on the child:

• Using a controlled substance that impairs the caregiver’s ability to adequately care for the child
• Selling, distributing, or giving drugs or alcohol to a child
• Exposing a child to the criminal sale or distribution of illegal drugs
• Manufacturing or possession of a controlled substance (such as meth-amphetamine) in the presence of a child or in the home of a child
• Exposing a child to the chemicals or equipment used to manufacture a controlled substance (such as methamphetamine)
   

Supporting Children and Their Families

A parent struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) can still be a successful parent with the right treatment and ongoing support. The goal of child protective services is to ensure the safety of the child and assist with family stability. Other agencies work with the parent to get treatment for their addiction. Working in tandem as a comprehensive support system produces the best results for families.

 

“Finding help (for substance use or misuse) can be overwhelming or confusing,” said Faringer. “Our staff is familiar with all the area providers, so they can help direct individuals, walk them through the directory, and get them to a starting place in their recovery.”

 

In addition to referrals for treatment, NCADD-RA offers community programs such as parenting classes and support groups, education for prospective foster parents, and substance use education (many programs are also offered in Spanish). NCADD-RA also provides a wide range of parent and community resources, educator toolkits and drug-specific resources on its website (url below in Resources).

 

With the right treatment and support, it’s possible for parents with substance use disorders to safely maintain their children in their homes. In the experience of caseworkers, unification of the family ultimately produces the best outcomes. Services for children that address their mental and physical needs and reestablish trusting bonds with their families are critical.

 

If you’re working with a child whose family life is being disrupted by parental substance use, contact NCADD-RA for more information. If you suspect a child is being neglected or abused, call the CPS hotline. It all starts with one caring and supportive adult to change the trajectory of a child’s life.
 

Sources:
– Child Welfare Information Gateway/Children’s Bureau*

– Institute of Medicine & National Research Council

– Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration*

– National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare*

– National Association for Children of Alcoholics

* Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Resources:

 

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Rochester area)
https://ncadd-ra.org/
https://ncadd-ra.org/services/total-approach-family-program/