Supporting Parents with substance misuse

Understanding the issues associated with drug or alcohol misuse

Parents in foster placements may have a known problem with drug or alcohol misuse, or this issue may come to light whilst they are in the placement. They may not have disclosed their addiction, fearing this will risk their child being removed or because they are in denial. Parental drug use is very common for parents within the family justice system; almost two-thirds of drug-using women entering treatment are parents, but only half live with their children. Although parental use of drugs and alcohol often puts children at risk of significant harm, with the right support services, some parents can manage their addiction at the same time as providing good enough parenting. In fact, for some women, pregnancy provides the motivation needed to get help to come off drugs or stabilize drug use.

Our role as foster carers

Women are often put off services by attitudes of staff, and the lack of co-ordination between, for example, maternity and drug and alcohol services. As foster carers, a key part of our role is to support parents to access the available services, keep appointments and adjust other aspects of their lifestyle like sleeping and eating patterns. Communicating in a non-judgmental way is important part of this, acknowledging the problem but always re-enforcing the importance that the child’s needs come first.

Drug use in pregnancy

Heroin is the main drug used in pregnancy, but many women use multiple drugs and alcohol.
• Problem drug use is associated with low birthweight, premature birth, stillbirth and SIDS, but as most problem drug users are also heavy cigarette smokers, with poor diet and complex social circumstances, it’s difficult to say whether these effects are to do with drug use or heavy smoking and other issues associated with poverty
• Pregnant women who are addicted to heroin are usually prescribed methadone so that they avoid injecting. Suddenly coming off heroin can be dangerous for the baby, especially towards the end of the pregnancy
• Babies exposed before birth to heroin, methadone, and some other drugs can be born with severe withdrawal symptoms. These babies can have feeding problems and cry a lot, making them very difficult to care for and causing problems with bonding and attachment
• Drinking alcohol can cause physical abnormalities, and problems with growth and learning (fetal alcohol syndrome)

Drug use after birth

A parent may be in the placement to assess their capability to provide good enough parenting. For any parent persistently misusing drugs or alcohol there are some specific risks to children, and whilst we can support parents in a non-judgmental way, we need to recognise these risks. These include neglect and abuse, dangerously inadequate supervision, inadequate and unstable accommodation, toxic substances in the home and social isolation. Long-term, children of parents who misuse drugs and alcohol can experience a range of emotional, cognitive, behavioural and other psychological problems, poor educational achievement, and be more at risk of drug and alcohol misuse themselves. It is also important to remember that sleeping in bed with a parent who is affected by alcohol is an important risk factor for SIDS.

More Resources

NHS: Drinking alcohol while pregnant
NHS: Illegal drugs in pregnancy
NHS Scotland: Taking drugs in pregnancy
National Organisation for FASD: alcohol in pregnancy
NHS: Breastfeeding and alcohol
Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Alcohol in pregnancy guidance
Frank: ‘Honest Information about Drugs’
Tommy’s: Illegal or recreational drugs and pregnancy

Personal Reflection / Ideas for group discussion

Do you know what services there are in your area for parents with drug dependence? Could you invite a drug and alcohol specialist to your group to tell you about the service, or organize a coffee morning for PAC carers in your area? Make sure you invite your social work colleagues.

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