Ann Arbor Times

Nearly 17 million children and adolescents in the United States are estimated to live with a parent who has a substance use disorder, according to a study led by Texas State University, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. The research highlights alcohol use disorder as the leading contributor, affecting 12.8 million children. Cannabis use disorder impacts 5 million children, while prescription opioid use disorder affects more than 1 million.

The study reveals that parents may struggle with multiple substance use disorders simultaneously. Parents with opioid use disorders face higher overdose risks, adding challenges for these families. The results are published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

“These findings remind children that they are not alone," said co-author Sean Esteban McCabe, U-M professor of nursing and director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health. "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.”

“Our team is working on family-based programs to prevent the intergenerational transmission and vicious cycle of addiction,” McCabe added.

The updated number marks an 81% increase from earlier estimates due to revised diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Transitioning from DSM-IV to DSM-5 introduced new definitions for certain conditions, improving identification and diagnostics.

“The increase in the number of children who live with a parent with a substance use disorder was a great surprise," said Ty Schepis, professor of psychology at Texas State and lead author of the study. "It highlights the massive scale of services that these parents and children will need to be successful."

McCabe noted that findings are being disseminated across various audiences to reach more children and reduce stigma for those living with parental substance use disorders. This indicates increased needs for affected children's support organizations like Sesame Workshop.

Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse alongside collaborations with U-M, Texas State, Wayne State, and Vital Strategies, this study provides insight into significant exposure levels among youth in homes where heavy substance use occurs. Findings stress reaching this population through targeted interventions aimed at improving health outcomes.

Research reported here was supported by NIDA under award numbers R01DA043691 and R01DA031160.