This report finds that the use of alcohol and other drugs in households with dependent children is high. The national databases all point to high rates of binge drinking in particular.

While rates vary across each of the studies, there is a clear pattern showing that the highest rates of binge drinking amongst those with children are single mothers and the lowest rates are amongst women in couple households.

Analyses from the Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health also found high rates of illicit drug use amongst women with children. Evidence for a ‘cumulative parenting disadvantage’ is clear from the specialist data sets.

Elevated levels of substance use are linked to other significant lifestyle and functioning deficits including exposure to violence, mental health problems and elevated levels of criminality. These occur in adults living with children and in those with children who are financially dependent upon them.

Parents and carers with substance abuse problems often struggle with complex family difficulties such as mental illnesses, child behavioural problems, poverty or a history of abuse and neglect.

This report provides information on the opportunities and difficulties in engaging and supporting families where parents or carers have a substance abuse problem.