In Their Own Right: Developing Confidential Services for Children and Young People Affected by Parental Alcohol and Drug Use

Impact of parents' substance misuse on children: an update

“…Similarly, a number of researchers have corroborated the finding that the existence of problematic parenting or the absence of a stable adult figure also significantly raises risks for children in both the short and long term (Cleaver 2007; Redelinghuys 2008; Scaife 2008; Hill 2013, 2015).…”

“…More recent evidence again corroborates these conclusions. Among the negative effects that have been recorded are: emotional and mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder and attachment-related psychological adjustment (Fraser 2009; Harwin 2010) difficulties in dealing with the knock-on effects of parental substance misuse – emotions, silence, trust and stigma (Templeton 2009; Houmoller 2011; Hill 2013, 2015) the development of alcohol and drug problems in adolescence and beyond (Harwin 2010; Houmoller 2011) early sexual relationships and relationship difficulties later in life (Harwin 2010; Kelley 2010) academic underachievement (Torvik 2011) conduct and behavioural problems (Harwin 2010). …”

“…difficulties in dealing with the knock-on effects of parental substance misuse – emotions, silence, trust and stigma (Templeton 2009; Houmoller 2011; Hill 2013, 2015)…”

“…One major way of ensuring this would be for national policy to adopt a resilience approach. Certainly across the UK over the past decade there have continued to be improvements, with policy starting to recognise and respond to children affected by parental substance misuse, although there is variation between the UK administrations (Hill 2013). However, the progress which has been made has focused largely on parental drug misuse, meaning that major policy limitations remain with regard to parental alcohol misuse (Adamson 2012).…”

“…Estimates of the number of parents and children who were believed to be affected by these problems have risen considerably since 2007, with approximately 3.4 million children under 16 living with at least one binge-drinking parent, almost a million living with two binge drinkers, and almost half a million living with a lone parent who is also a binge drinker; a further 2.6 million live with a hazardous drinker, 300 000 with a harmful drinker and >700 000 with a dependent drinker (Manning 2009, 2011; Hill 2013).…”