The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families and Children: From Theory to Practice
Date
2013
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Social work in public health
Abstract
The effects of a substance use disorder (SUD) are felt by the whole family. The family context
holds information about how SUDs develop, are maintained, and what can positively or negatively
influence the treatment of the disorder. Family systems theory and attachment theory are
theoretical models that provide a framework for understanding how SUDs affect the family. In
addition, understanding the current developmental stage a family is in helps inform assessment of
impairment and determination of appropriate interventions. SUDs negatively affect emotional and
behavioral patterns from the inception of the family, resulting in poor outcomes for the children
and adults with SUDs. Social workers can help address SUDs in multiple ways, which are
summarized in this article
Description
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Article
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Keywords
substance use disorder, attachment theory, treatment, family systems theory, impact on children
Citation
Lander, L., Howsare, J., & Byrne, M. (2013). The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: from theory to practice. Social work in public health, 28(3-4), 194-205.