A recent study from the University of Michigan shows that about 19 million children in the United States-roughly one in four under age 18-live with a parent or adult who has a substance use disorder (SUD). This number has risen since 2020, when an estimated 17 million children were affected.
The most common substance involved is alcohol, with around 12 million parents meeting criteria for alcohol use disorder. Cannabis use disorder affects over 6 million parents, while about 3.4 million parents struggle with multiple substances.
Additionally, 6 million children live with adults who have both a substance use disorder and a mental illness.
Researchers warn that children growing up in these environments face a higher risk of early substance use, mental health problems, and other adverse experiences.
Vita McCabe, an addiction medicine expert involved in the study, emphasized the importance of connecting parents to effective treatments, such as medication and therapy, to break this cycle.
The findings, published in JAMA Pediatrics, rely on data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. However, the future of this important survey is uncertain due to federal budget cuts.
Lead author Sean Esteban McCabe and his team call for urgent action to expand support for families affected by substance use disorders. They stress that early intervention and treatment can help protect children’s health and prevent the continuation of substance use problems into the next generation.
This study highlights the growing challenge of parental substance use in America and the need for stronger resources to support vulnerable children and their families.
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