A survey of parents receiving treatment for substance dependence: The impact on their children

Abstract

Aims: To screen for the presence of psychiatric problems in the children of substance dependent parents admitted for detoxification and to collect information about the children's involvement with other services. We also sought parental views about the risk of their children developing substance misuse problems and where they would seek help for them.

Design: Prospective cross‐sectional survey.

Setting: In‐patient detoxification unit, West London.

Participants: Sixty‐six parents who had 152 children participated in the study.

Measurements: A specifically designed ‘Parents Questionnaire’ and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to elicit information from the parents and screen for psychiatric morbidity in their children.

Findings: The SDQ data was all within the normal range with 24.6% of the children having had Social Services involved in their care at some point. Four parents reported children with substance misuse problems and one reported a child with a psychotic illness. Forty‐one per cent of the parents were concerned about their children developing future substance misuse problems. Only 10% of parents would contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health or Paediatrics services to seek help, and nearly half wouldn't contact Substance Misuse Services in this regard.

Conclusions: There is an urgent need for more research focusing on the impact of parental substance use on children. In particular, the impact of paternal substance abuse and the continuing impact of parental misuse on older children require investigation. Current and future service provision needs greater integration between different agencies and better training of staff. Improved professional awareness can help reduce stigma and allay the misconceptions held by some parents. This would support effective prevention and treatment strategies.

• Substance dependence
• parents
• children
• service provision

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance from Tshengi Nkomo and Karen Miles in the data collection for the study.