Methamphetamine Use in German Families: Parental Substance Use, Parent–Child Interaction and Risks for Children Involved

AbstractBackground: With an immense increase in methamphetamine use in Germany in the past decade, large sections of the drug-using community have been identified as parents of young children. Objective: With the fast-emerging issue of psychosocial and familial consequences of methamphetamine use, this study focused on gaining an insight into substance use, parenthood, and parenting by German methamphetamine users, with special emphasis on the psychological outcomes for the children involved. Methods: We conducted 24 qualitative interviews with parents (16 mothers and eight fathers), who were in outpatient treatment for their Crystal Meth use and were currently abstinent from using drugs. Personal information on parenting, drug use, and effects on the children was supplemented by standardized parents’ reports on the children’s behavioral patterns. Results: Parenting was described as challenging and often emotionally neglectful, impulsive, and inconsistent. The interview results further indicated an inter-...