Family-Based Approaches to Parental Substance Use Disorders: Mitigating Adverse Impacts on Child Well-Being in Yenagoa, Nigeria

Background & Objective: Parental Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in Yenagoa, Nigeria, severely impact families, yet traditional treatments remain individual-focused, neglecting childhood trauma. This study investigated parental SUDs' impact on child well-being and evaluated the efficacy of family-based interventions versus individual-only treatments. Methods: Using a mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 300 participants (SUD parents, spouses, and children) via standardized instruments (DAST-10, CBCL, FAD). Qualitative data included 15 Key Informant Interviews with addiction professionals. Analysis utilized multiple regression, independent t-tests, and thematic analysis. Results: Results showed a strong negative correlation between parental SUD severity and child well-being (r = -.68, p < .001), accounting for 54% of the variance in adverse outcomes like academic decline and premature parentification. Crucially, families receiving family-based interventions demonstrated significantly healthier functioning (M = 82.4) than those in individual only treatment (M = 58.6) [t(98) = 9.45, p < .001]. Children in the family-based cohort also exhibited a 45% reduction in externalizing behaviors, compared to just 12% in the individual treatment group. Conclusion: Parental SUDs severely compromise child well-being. Integrating systemic family based approaches into addiction rehabilitation protocols in Bayelsa State is imperative for sustainable parental recovery and protecting vulnerable children.