Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Nearly 19 Million U.S. Children Lived with a Parent Facing Substance Use Disorder in 2023

New findings from JAMA Pediatrics highlight the widespread impact of parental substance use disorders, with alcohol as the leading substance and comorbid mental health conditions affecting millions.

Image
Image

Overview

  • A 2023 study using updated DSM-5 criteria estimates 18.97 million U.S. children—one in four—lived with a parent or caregiver with a substance use disorder.
  • Alcohol is the most prevalent substance in parental SUD cases, followed by cannabis, prescription drugs, and other substances.
  • Over 7.6 million children lived with a parent with moderate to severe SUD, and 3.4 million with a parent experiencing multiple substance use disorders.
  • Approximately 6.1 million children had a parent with both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, complicating family dynamics and risks.
  • The adoption of DSM-5 criteria and new survey methodologies significantly increased prevalence estimates compared to earlier studies, emphasizing the need for targeted family-based interventions.