Substance Use by Parents and Caregivers

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 of Parents/Caregivers: Impact on Children in Child Welfare System
Hyde (2013)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Discusses how substance use disorders of parents and caregivers impact children. This presentation offers information on the role of treatment and system-level changes in supporting these children.

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 Drug Use as Child Abuse
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 403KB)
Year Published 2016
Discusses laws that address the issue of substance abuse by parents. Two areas of concern are the harm caused to the health and development of affected infants by prenatal drug exposure and the harm caused to children of any age by exposure to illegal drug activity in their homes or environment. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States 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)
Order (Free)
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/