Methamphetamine Use in German Families: Parental Substance Use, Parent-Child Interaction and Risks for Children Involved.

Background: With an immense increase in methamphetamine use in Germany in the past decade, large sections of the drug-using community have been identified as parents of young children.

Objective: With the fast-emerging issue of psychosocial and familial consequences of methamphetamine use, this study focused on gaining an insight into substance use, parenthood, and parenting by German methamphetamine users, with special emphasis on the psychological outcomes for the children involved.

Methods: We conducted 24 qualitative interviews with parents (16 mothers and eight fathers), who were in outpatient treatment for their Crystal Meth use and were currently abstinent from using drugs. Personal information on parenting, drug use, and effects on the children was supplemented by standardized parents' reports on the children's behavioral patterns.

Results: Parenting was described as challenging and often emotionally neglectful, impulsive, and inconsistent. The interview results further indicated an inter-relatedness of substance use and the parental role. Overall, children of methamphetamine users appeared to be at an increased risk of pre-and postnatal substance exposure and great psychosocial distress, especially evident in externalizing behavior such as hyperactivity and behavioral problems.

Conclusion: Results demonstrate the complex problems of methamphetamine-involved parents and suggest the need for a close cooperation between addiction treatment and child welfare services in providing appropriate psychological and educational support for parents and children.