Nearly 17 million children in the United States live with a parent who struggles with substance use disorder, according to new research from Texas State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University. The study found that alcohol use disorder is the most common, affecting 12.8 million children, followed by cannabis and prescription opioid use disorders.
The new research found an 81% increase from previous figures, largely due to revised diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
“These findings remind children that they are not alone. The nearly 17 million children who are living with a parent with substance use disorder should convey a strong signal that it is time to focus more attention on children and families impacted by addiction,” said study co-author Sean Esteban McCabe in a press release.
Researchers found that some children have parents who struggle with multiple substance use disorders, compounding the challenges they face. Those with a parent suffering from opioid use disorder are at even greater risk due to the potential for overdose.
“The increase in the number of children who live with a parent with a substance use disorder was a great surprise, and it highlights the massive scale of services that these parents and children will need to be successful,” said study lead author Ty Schepis in a press release. “These children are at high risk for not just substance use issues of their own, but also mental health challenges and interactions with the legal and child welfare systems.”
The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.