Building Stronger Families Through Substance-Free Fatherhood

According to the University of Michigan, about one in four children in the United States lives with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder. Because so many children are affected, substance use and parenting remain important health concerns impacting our community. Although substance use by any caregiver can affect a household, fathers play an important role in children’s development. Understanding how substance use can affect father-child relationships can help families recognize the value of substance-free parenting.

Understanding Substance Use

Substance use includes the consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs. It can also include tobacco use and the misuse of prescription medication. Prescription misuse occurs when medication is taken in a way that a medical provider did not direct or when someone takes medication that was prescribed to another person.

Not every instance of substance use results in a substance use disorder (SUD) – a medical condition in which continued use causes significant problems in a person’s daily life. The ongoing use may affect physical health, interfere with relationships, and make meeting responsibilities at home harder.

National data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show that many adults with substance use disorders live with dependent children, which means that the effects of substance use often extend beyond the individual to other members of the family. 

Why Fathers Matter

Fathers can provide emotional support, guidance, and stability throughout childhood. A qualitative study of fathers in substance use treatment found that substance use disorders affected how participants experienced their parenting role and related to their children. 

Research suggests that substance use can interfere with fathers’ ability to remain consistently involved in their children’s lives. A father may become less responsive to a child’s needs, and have difficulty maintaining regular contact or following through on commitments. This does not mean that every father who uses a substance is unable to parent effectively. However, repeated misuse can increase the likelihood of problems that affect both the child and the household.

How Substance Use Can Affect Parenting

Parenting requires sustained attention and sound judgment. Substance use can interfere with both. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics explains that parental substance use may also reduce supervision. When a father is impaired, a child may be exposed to unsafe conditions or left without adequate care. Immediate risks can include accidental injury or neglect.

Harm to the paternal relationship can occur too. Researchsuggests that substance use can reduce the quality of father-child interactions. The child may receive less attention during conversation. Shared activities may be interrupted or avoided. Over time, these missed interactions can make the child feel less connected to the father. Additionally, inconsistent interactions may weaken the father-child relationshipand reduce a child's sense of security.

SUDs may also make household responsibilities harder to manage. Bills may be missed, or school communication might go unanswered. Transportation may become unreliable. These disruptions can create stress and unease for children because they may doubt that their needs will be met.

Short-Term Effects on Children

Children can experience changes when a father struggles with substance use, with effects differing depending on the child’s age and the severity of the situation. 

Short-term effects may include:

• Anxiety, fear, or sadness

• Being withdrawn 

• Difficulty concentrating

• Changes in behavior

• Age-inappropriate responsibility

• Reduced sense of safety

Long-Term Effects on Children

Long-term exposure to parental substance use can impact several areas of development. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that children in affected families face an increased risk of emotional problems, behavioral concerns, or learning difficulties.

Specific long-term effects may include:

• Attention problems

• Language delays

• Difficulty trusting others

• Relationship challenges

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Educational difficulties

• Higher substance use risk

Having a parent with an SUD may result in a higher risk of substance misusein the future by the child. A higher risk does not make the outcome inevitable, but supportive adults and appropriate services can help reduce harm.

The Benefits of Substance-Free Parenting

Substance-free parenting helps fathers remain fully engaged in their children's lives and supports healthier family relationships.

Short-term and long-term benefits may include:

• Safer supervision

• Greater predictability

• Reduced household stress

• Improved communication

• More dependable involvement

• Stronger emotional security

• Healthier coping habits

• Stronger relationship skills

• Lower risk of harmful substance use

Substance-free fathers can also serve as models for healthy behavior. When a father manages stress without relying on alcohol or drugs, he demonstrates healthy ways of coping with challenges. When he asks for help, he shows that support is a healthy response to a problem.

Support and Recovery

Fathers can make a lasting difference through healthy choices and dependable involvement. Substance use can affect judgment, parenting, and family relationships, but treatment can create a path toward recovery.

Substance use disorders are treatable medical conditions. In Sacramento County, fathers can contact Behavioral Health Services–Screening and Coordination (BHS-SAC) for screening and help connecting with appropriate substance use treatment and recovery services. Available services may include outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment, residential treatment, withdrawal management, and medication-assisted treatment. Recovery may also include peer support and services that strengthen parenting and family relationships. 

Seeking help is not a sign of failure. It can be an important step toward rebuilding trust, strengthening family relationships, and creating a safer and more stable home. Recovery may take time, but treatment, support, and continued positive choices can improve outcomes for both fathers and their children.

If you or someone you care about needs help navigating Behavioral Health Services:

• Call Behavioral Health Services – Screening and Coordination (BHS-SAC) 

  • Phone: (916) 875-1055 

  • Toll-Free: (888) 881-4881 

  • California Relay: 711 

• Submit an online service request 

• Reach out for information or guidance 

Help is available, and you do not have to figure it out alone.