Approximately 17 million minors and teenagers in the United States are presumed to reside with a parent afflicted by a substance use disorder, based on research conducted by Texas State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.
The investigation revealed that alcohol use disorder was the predominant factor, impacting 12.8 million youngsters. Cannabis use disorder ranked second, affecting 5 million minors, while prescription opioid use disorder impacts over 1 million children.
Within these categories, children may have parents who battle multiple substance use disorders. Parents suffering from opioid use disorders also face elevated risks of overdose, compounding the difficulties these families encounter.
The study findings are documented in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
“These results remind children they are not isolated. The nearly 17 million youth living with a parent who has a substance use disorder sends a strong message that it is essential to concentrate more attention on children and families affected by addiction,” stated co-author Sean Esteban McCabe, a nursing professor at U-M and director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health.
“Our team is developing family-oriented programs aimed at preventing the intergenerational transmission and relentless cycle of addiction.”
The revised figure signifies an 81% rise from prior estimates, primarily due to refreshed diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The shift from the fourth version (DSM-IV) to the fifth version (DSM-5) brought forth updated definitions and standards for specific conditions, leading to enhanced recognition and broader diagnostic criteria.
For instance, the DSM-5 guidelines and new diagnostic approach provide a means to identify substance use disorder in parents who displayed symptoms but were undiagnosed “orphans” under the older framework in the DSM-IV.
“The rise in the number of children living with a parent suffering from a substance use disorder was quite unexpected, underscoring the extensive range of services these parents and children will require to thrive,” remarked Ty Schepis, a psychology professor at Texas State and the study’s lead author. “These minors are at heightened risk for not only their own substance use issues but also mental health difficulties and encounters with the legal and child welfare systems.”
McCabe states that the study findings are being shared with various audiences to engage more children and diminish stigma for those living with a parent affected by substance use disorders. It also signals that the requirements of children impacted by this environment have escalated, reinforcing the significance of efforts by organizations in this field, such as the initiative by Sesame Workshop. Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit driving Sesame Street, dedicated to assisting young children and their support systems affected by parental addiction.
Financed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and carried out in cooperation with U-M, Texas State, Wayne State, and Vital Strategies, the study provides valuable insights into the substantial number of children and teenagers potentially subjected to considerable substance use in their households. The results accentuate the necessity of reaching this demographic through targeted initiatives to enhance their health and well-being.
The research also received funding from the U-M Office of the Vice President for Research and will serve as a foundational study for future endeavors that aim to positively impact children and their families, according to McCabe.
The investigation detailed in this news release was supported by NIDA of the National Institutes of Health under grant numbers R01DA043691 and R01DA031160.