A survey of parents receiving treatment for substance dependence: The impact on their children

Aims: To screen for the presence of psychiatric problems in the children of substance dependent parents admitted for detoxification and to collect information about the children's involvement with other services. We also sought parental views about the risk of their children developing substance misuse problems and where they would seek help for them.Design: Prospective cross‐sectional survey.Setting: In‐patient detoxification unit, West London.Participants: Sixty‐six parents who had 152 children participated in the study.Measurements: A specifically designed ‘Parents Questionnaire’ and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to elicit information from the parents and screen for psychiatric morbidity in their children.Findings: The SDQ data was all within the normal range with 24.6% of the children having had Social Services involved in their care at some point. Four parents reported children with substance misuse problems and one reported a child with a psychotic illness. Forty‐one pe...