Home > Drugs in the family: the impact on parents and siblings.

Barnard, Marina (2005) Drugs in the family: the impact on parents and siblings. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Problem drug use has a profound impact on all family members. Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters are caught in the maelstrom that drug problems almost inevitably create. Furthermore, when drugs come into a family, there is the danger that siblings might become involved in problem drug use, thus adding to family problems. This study considered the difficulties confronted by families in trying to respond to and cope with the changes that drug problems had brought about in sons and daughters, brothers and sisters.

The research took place in Greater Glasgow and involved 65 qualitative research interviews with problem drug users, parents and younger brothers and sisters. Where possible, these were members of the same family. Additionally, 10 interviews were carried out with practitioners whose area of work was directly or indirectly concerned with problem drug users and their families.


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