What is classed as substance misuse?
What is classed as substance misuse?
Substance misuse refers to the use of psychoactive substances in a way that is harmful or hazardous to health. This includes alcohol and illicit drugs.
How parental substance misuse affects children Key points from research?
Parental substance misuse will not only affect children but also close relatives and the wider family, including partners who do not misuse, grandparents and siblings. Research into the experiences of relatives shows clearly the stress, distress and anxiety they feel, often for long periods of time.
How does parental alcohol misuse affect children?
Parental alcohol misuse disrupts everyday routines and leads to inconsistent and unpredictable parenting. Children may feel isolated, stigmatised, and guilty, and may have to take on caring responsibilities.
How does drugs and alcohol affect child development?
During pregnancy, drinking and drug use can put babies at risk of birth defects, premature birth, being born underweight and withdrawal symptoms. In later years, substance misuse can put children at risk of: physical and emotional abuse or neglect. behavioural or emotional problems.
How does substance use affect parenting?
Children also may be endangered when parents’ substance use interferes with their ability to raise their children and provide a safe, nurturing environment. Parents’ substance use may affect their ability to consistently prioritize the child’s basic physical and emotional needs over their own need for substances.
How can drugs affect a child?
Previous research has shown that children of parents who have an illicit drug use disorder are at higher risk for mental and behavioral disorders and functional impairments than children of parents with alcohol use disorder.
How many children are affected by parental drug misuse in the UK?
In the UK there are estimated to be between 250,000 and 350,000 dependent children living with parental drug misuse, and 920,000 living with parental alcohol misuse. Parental substance misuse can cause considerable harm.
What is the definition of parental substance misuse?
Parental substance misuse ‘Parental substance misuse’ is the long-term misuse of drugs and/or alcohol by a parent or carer. This includes parents and carers who: consume harmful amounts of alcohol (for example if their drinking is leading to alcohol-related health problems or accidents)
Should parents try to hide substance misuse from children?
However, it was evident that parental attempts at hiding substance misuse did not protect children effectively. Indeed the secrecy only created another responsibility for the children as they tried to conceal what went on. This was especially true in the case of drug use. “If [the police] ever ask you anything you just say nothing.”
What kind of data do we collect about parental substance misuse?
The data we collect remains strictly anonymous. An exploration of the experiences of young people (15-27 years) affected by parental drug and/or alcohol misuse. This report provides an in-depth account of the impact of parental substance misuse on parenting, on roles within the family, and on relationships.
