Nearly 19 Million Children Are Growing Up in Households with Parents Suffering from Substance Use Disorders

In 2023, approximately 19 million children in the United States resided in homes where at least one parent or primary caregiver was affected by a substance use disorder (SUD). This alarming statistic highlights the widespread impact of addiction on families, as revealed by a recent research letter published online on May 12 in JAMA Pediatrics. The study utilized data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which is representative of the non-institutionalized U.S. population aged 12 years and older, to estimate the number of children living with parents diagnosed with SUD.

The findings indicate that nearly 19 million children, specifically around 18.97 million, live in households with at least one parent or caregiver meeting the criteria for SUD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition). Of these children, over 7.6 million are living with parents diagnosed with moderate to severe SUD, while about 3.4 million have parents with multiple SUDs. Additionally, more than 6 million children are living with parents who also suffer from mental health issues alongside SUD.

The most common substance-related disorders among parents are alcohol use disorders, followed by cannabis, prescription medications, and other non-cannabis drug issues. The researchers emphasize that these conditions pose significant risks to children's health and development. The study’s authors, led by Sean Esteban McCabe from the University of Michigan’s School of Nursing, underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions at federal, state, and local levels.

They advocate for implementing evidence-based, family-centered treatment programs for SUD and co-occurring mental illnesses as a vital strategy to reduce adverse outcomes for affected children and support family recovery efforts. Recognizing the profound effects of parental addiction on children’s well-being calls for increased awareness, better preventive measures, and accessible treatment options to break the cycle of addiction and its intergenerational consequences.

For more details, refer to the original study in JAMA Pediatrics: DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.0828.