Nearly 19 million children live under same roof as parent with substance use disorder

1 in 4 kids live with parents who have alcohol, other drug problems, U-M study finds

A large percentage of American children are growing up in households with at least one parent who uses alcohol or other drugs in problematic ways—raising the risk that those children will go on to do the same, a new study suggests.

Federal aid at risk for kids whose parents struggle with addiction

A new study reports that nearly 19 million children in the U.S. are living with at least one parent struggling with substance use. And it comes at a time when key mental health and addiction services are facing significant federal budget cuts. Dr. Celine Gounder has more.

1 in 4 Children Has a Parent with a Substance Use Disorder, Study Says

Alcohol was the most commonly abused substance among parentsGetty Stock photo of a father holding alcohol bottle while son covers his faceA new study found one in four U.S. children has a parent with a substance use disorder, a dramatic increase from years pastA large portion of parents' disorders are considered moderate to severeThe most commonly abused substance is alcoholA new study has revealed information about substance abuse within famili…

Nearly 19 million children live under same roof as parent with substance use disorder

In 2023, nearly 19 million children in the United States were estimated to be living in a household with at least one parent or primary caregiver with a substance-use disorder (SUD), according to a research letter published online May 12 in JAMA Pediatrics.

A quarter of children have a parent with substance use disorder, a study finds

A new study estimates that 19 million children in the U.S. have a parent with a substance use disorder and that alcohol is the most commonly used substance by the parents.

Nearly 19 million U.S. children live with a parent with substance use disor

The study relied on self-reported data and a cap of three children per household—indicating that the actual number could be higher.