Youth who Live with Fathers who Drink at Higher Risk for Addiction
Teens and children who live with alcoholic fathers are at a higher risk for alcohol or drug abuse themselves, a new study shows.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) study showed that the rate of alcohol use among youths aged 12 to 17 was highest (38.8) for those who lived with a father who abused alcohol, 33.2 percent for those whose fathers drank but didn’t have a drinking disorder, and 21.1 percent for those whose fathers hadn’t used alcohol in the past year. The data was collected from more than 11,000 fathers and 9,500 father-child pairs between 2002 and 2007.
Among the fathers living with teens, more than 68 percent used alcohol but didn’t have a drinking problem, 24.2 percent didn’t use alcohol in the past year, and about 8 percent had an alcohol disorder.
The study also found that rates of illicit drug use were highest (24 percent) for those who lived with fathers who had drinking disorders, 18.4 percent for those whose fathers used alcohol but didn’t have a problem, and 14 percent for those whose fathers abstained from alcohol.
"Father's Day provides another opportunity to point out the important role fathers play in influencing their children's attitudes and behavior regarding alcohol and substance use," said Eric Broderick, acting administrator for SAMHSA.
He continued, "This study highlights the continuing need to educate fathers, mothers and other role models about the profound impact their drinking behavior can have on their children."