Research indicates a link between parental and caregiver substance use disorders and child maltreatment. While estimates vary, studies show that one-third to two-thirds of child maltreatment cases involve substance use to some degree.1 The following resources provide information on co-occurring substance use and child maltreatment, including the scope, complexity, and impact.
Behavioral Health and Wellness Resources for Children and Families
| Series Title | Related Organizations Lists |
| Author(s) | |
| Availability | View |
| Year Published | 2017 |
Includes national organizations that provide information and services that support physical and behavioral health of children and families.
Parental Substance Use as Child Abuse
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 540KB) |
| Year Published | 2020 |
Discusses laws and policies that address the issue of substance use by parents. One major area of concern is responding to the care and treatment needs of substance-exposed infants. Another major concern is addressing the harm that a child of any age can suffer when a parent's use of alcohol or other substances leads to neglect of the child or the child is exposed to illegal drug activity. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories are included.
Parental Substance Use and the Child Welfare System
| Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 413KB) |
| Year Published | 2014 |
Provides child welfare workers and related professionals with information on the intersection between substance use disorders and child maltreatment and describes strategies for prevention, intervention, and treatment, including examples of effective programs and practices. The bulletin also discusses the impact of parental substance use on children, child welfare laws related to parental substance use, service delivery challenges, systems change and collaboration, and innovative prevention and treatment approaches.
State Behavioral and Wellness Resources for Children and Families
| Series Title | Related Organizations Lists |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View |
| Year Published | 2017 |
Includes State agency website links to information and resources for mental health care services for children and families in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.
1Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2014). Parental substance use and the child welfare system. Retrieved from /pubs/factsheets/parentalsubabuse/