India, May 19 -- A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that approximately 19 million children in the United States nearly one in four live with at least one parent struggling with a substance use disorder.
The analysis, based on 2023 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and using the latest DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, marks a sharp increase from earlier estimates that relied on outdated metrics.
Alcohol use disorder was the most prevalent issue, affecting 12 million parents. Other frequently reported substances included cannabis, prescription medications, and cocaine.
The study also found that 7.6 million children are living with a parent experiencing a moderate to severe addiction, while 3.4 million have a par...