Forgotten but Not Gone: The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic and Other Substance Use Disorders on Families and Children

Abstract

This article discusses the impact of the opioid epidemic and other substance use disorders (SUDs) on families and their members, including children. We review factors contributing to this major public health and safety problem, current trends in opioid and other substance use and misuse, prevalence of opioid use disorders (OUDs) and other SUDs, and interventions to help families. Sources of information for this article include research, clinical and recovery literature, government reports, experiences of the two senior authors in clinical settings, and interviews and surveys of family members affected by a loved one’s SUD.