Family Separation and Substance Misuse

Families play a critical role in shaping who we become as individuals, providing the support and nurturing needed for healthy development. When this system is disrupted by family separation, the effects can be traumatic for everyone involved, leading to both short- and long-term consequences for children and parents. Keeping families together should be a top priority, as it is crucial for the success of the family unit and the well-being of each individual.  

The importance of family unity is especially evident in the context of substance use disorders (SUDs). Addressing SUDs while maintaining family integrity can lead to better outcomes for both parents and children, highlighting the need for family-based approaches in treatment and support systems.  

Substance misuse is a leading factor in family separations, with around 80% of foster care cases involving allegations of parental misuse of drugs or alcohol (Human Rights Watch). Finding ways to secure the improvement of the parent's condition and child safety or vice versa while maintaining the family structure is a high priority in the realm of social workers. Social Work education tends to focus on the environment and the individual's effect on each other which illustrates the benefits of involving the family in the SUD treatment process. 

Why Family involvement in treatment matters 

Substance misuse impacts the entire family. That’s why family involvement in the treatment process is so important. Families are the bedrock of our lives, providing love, support, and guidance. When a parent struggles with addiction, it can shake the very foundation of that bond, leaving everyone feeling lost and unsure of how to help. 

But family can also become a source of strength, a safe place where healing can begin. Involving loved ones in treatment helps them understand what’s happening and how they can support their family member's recovery. It’s not just about addressing the addiction; it’s about rebuilding trust, mending broken relationships, and creating a path forward together. 

The Consequences of Family Separation for Children 

When children are removed from their homes due to parental substance abuse, the situation becomes even more complicated. Federal laws like the Adoption and Safe Families Act push for the termination of parental rights if a child has been in foster care for 15 out of 22 months. This tight timeline creates pressure on both parents and children, making reunification difficult. 

This race against the clock and a successful and safe treatment process are at odds. When a child is removed from a home due to substance abuse and is placed into foster care, many barriers arise that inevitably prevent the child from returning home. The longer the child is in foster care the less likely reunification becomes. Additionally, these children tend to stay in foster care longer than children of parents without SUDs (Casey Family Programs). According to a report done by Youth Today, 8 million reports were made to child welfare services in 2019, and 3 million investigations were made. This means that one in three children will be subjected to investigation before they turn 18. The fear that strikes many people here has to do with the steps that are taken after the investigations. Additionally, families of color are disproportionately investigated and separated as the result of investigations.  

holistic and beneficial approaches of Savio 

At Savio, we strive to keep children with their families when safely possible. For over 50 years Savio has worked to prove that rehabilitation of various types of family dysfunction is possible through evidence-based models in the home. Our Family Integrated Treatment (FIT) court programs helps to provide resources that identify the roots of problems like substance abuse and mental health treatment. Savio integrates  evidence-based practices, ensuring a holistic approach to family recovery. and accelerating the path to permanency for children. 

A Need for Something More: Family Treatment Programs

Historically substance use treatment programs and child welfare systems have worked separately in restoring safety and recovery in families. But like in most cases working individually hinders the possibility of faster progression and collaboration of resources. In the past decade, more efforts have been made to mend the gap for more accessible services, although many barriers still inhibit child reconciliation and substance treatment. It is also important to note that because substance use disorders are so highly stigmatized that reaching out for support can be increasingly more difficult. Given that the child-parent relationship is often the primary motivation for parents to achieve and maintain sobriety, and positively influences treatment success, this approach is especially valuable (Casey Family Programs). Certain states have recognized the importance of keeping families together during treatment and therapy. States have used a component of The Family First Act, the process often starts in a residential treatment program and transitions to in-home services all while involving the whole family unit.  

Family-Based vs. Individual-Focused Treatment 

Unlike traditional residential treatment programs that tend to isolate the patient in hopes of self-motivated recovery, family-based residential treatment programs aim to provide dual treatment for recovery and parenting and child attachment skills. These programs allow parents and children to live together or maintain frequent visits if something prohibits habitability. Family residential treatment programs extend beyond individual recovery to encompass the prevention of child maltreatment, preserve and reunify families, and foster family self-sufficiency.  

The shift from individual to family-based approaches, though new, is already seeing significant improvements in successful recoveries. A program in Los Angeles called SHEILDS for Families Exodus reported that “81 percent of program participants in the last five years successfully completed its residential treatment program, which is almost four times the national average” (Casey Family Programs). Two programs reported positive impacts on children involved in the treatment process. Minnesota Wayside House states that of the children served, 94% were free from abuse and neglect and 70% of the children continued to live in their homes 12 months after their parents completed the program (Casey Family Programs). The Program OnTrack in Oregon reported 95% of the children were neglect and abuse-free during the time of the treatment (OnTrack Rouge Valley). 

Now is the Time for Change

Changes to federal laws have created a prime opportunity to evaluate and invest in family-based treatment programs for parents with substance abuse disorders. Family-based residential treatment programs are becoming a more notably positive and progressive way to address substance use disorder and child maltreatment by preventing family separation. To make the most of this opportunity, treatment programs must be trauma-informed, evidence-based, and offer a range of services, from parenting skills training to therapy for both individuals and families. By embracing and expanding these innovative approaches to prevent family separation, they create healthier and more stable environments, promote family preservation, and support long-term recovery.