“I Grew Up Amidst Alcohol and Drugs:” a Qualitative Study on the Lived Experiences of Parental Substance Use Among Adults Who Developed Substance Use Disorders Themselves

Abstract

Experiencing parental substance use (PSU) has been associated with a heightened risk of developing substance use disorders (SUDs) in offspring. The primary goal of this study was to explore perspectives of adult children with lived experience of PSU who also developed SUDs themselves through first-hand experience. This study was conducted in Flanders (Belgium). A qualitative exploratory research design was applied. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with adult children of parents with SUDs (range: 29–48 years) who themselves had developed SUDs. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Three overarching themes emerged through thematic analysis: 1) loneliness and neglect in childhood; 2) stigma and the self; and 3) the role of social connection in substance use and recovery. The narratives highlighted the central role of feelings of loneliness, isolation and belonging among children of parents with SUDs in childhood and adulthood. Increasing public awareness on the impact of PSU on children and accessible support is needed to overcome stigma and remove barriers to social inclusion for children of parents with SUDs. Findings may prove valuable in informing policy, program and treatment development aimed at breaking maladaptive intergenerational cycles.

Qualitative description of outreach and engagement in perinatal substance treatment in Finland

“…relationships, because the internal working models of women contain complex mental representations of the self, the caregiver, and the quality of relationships (32). Women may perceive and interpret their distress as a personal failure, and they may fear disapproval from their social network and therefore not seek help from professionals (24).…”

“…Mental health interventions of children and parents are additionally intertwined within a family focus, as the child's well-being is interconnected with the family's well-being (28). Mothers with SUD may have histories of trauma from their early interpersonal childhood experiences, resulting in trauma as precursor of substance use and impacting parenthood and child development (3,31,32). Trauma-informed integrated treatment contains the co-occurring substance and mental health issues (3).…”

“…Positive results in incorporating a trauma-informed approach arise from emphasizing treatment engagement and building therapeutic alliances (9,16). The trauma-informed approach is especially important at the start of help-seeking and in engaging with the services, since early dropout is frequent, and past insecurities and parental uncertainty need to be expressed within caring and nonjudgmental clinical environments (32,33).…”

Estimated Number of Children Who Lost a Parent to Drug Overdose in the US From 2011 to 2021

“…The US overdose crisis continues to impact communities at historic levels, with data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating more than 107 000 lives lost to overdose in 2022 . Overdose and substance use impact not only the individuals using substances, but also families and communities, and can have profound short- and long-term effects for children of persons who use substances …”

“…1 Overdose and substance use impact not only the individuals using substances, but also families and communities, and can have profound short-and long-term effects for children of persons who use substances. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Although more than 1 million lives have been lost in the US to overdose in the past 2 decades, 10 to our knowledge, no study has estimated the number of children who have lost a parent to overdose. A small number of studies have indirectly examined this issue.…”