AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of family members affected by addictive disorders (FMA) with regard to various types of addictive disorders, and self-rated health and depression in the general population.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional general population survey. The "German Health Update" study GEDA 2014/2015, a nationally representative panel of German residents (24,824) aged 15 or older.

MEASUREMENTS: Participants were asked if they had a family member with current or past addictive disorder, the type of addiction and the relationship status. In addition, self-rated health and depression were assessed using standardized questionnaires.

FINDINGS: 9.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0-10.0) of respondents reported being affected by a current addictive disorders of a relative (cFMA), with a further 4.5% (95% CI 4.2-4.9) reported having been affected by the addictive disorders of a relative in the past but not within the last 12 months (pFMA). Most FMAs reported having been affected by disorders due to alcohol, followed by cannabis and other drugs. Compared with lifetime non-FMAs, FMAs reported significantly (p<.001) higher Odds Ratios for depression and ill-health.

CONCLUSIONS: In Germany, family members affected by addictive disorder are a substantial group within the general population. This group is characterised by ill-health and has not yet been adequately addressed by the addiction treatment system.