Substance use and child-aware practice – part two

What are the types of factors that underpin substance use in families and how can practitioners support parents to make changes that will improve outcomes for themselves and for their children? Suzie Hudson, Sarah Watson, Melissa Shee, Lisa Hofman and Sally Field generously share their valuable insights about why practitioners should ask their clients about their children; how practitioners of drug and alcohol and generalist services are in a unique position to be able to support parents with substance use issues to improve outcomes for children. And how a child focused approach can help to break intergenerational cycles of substance use as a coping mechanism for people with background histories of trauma and disadvantage.

In this episode you will learn:

• Can substance use be used by mothers as a way to mask other issues, such as family violence or past trauma?  (01:40)
• The benefit of working directly with children who are affected by substance use in their family  (13:52)
• What does inclusive family practice look like with parents who are using substances? (16:07)

Further information and resource:

• e-learning: Parental substance use and child-aware practice, principles and practices
  https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/parental-substance-use-and-child-aware-practice-principles-and-practices/ 
• e-learning: The impact of parental substance use on the child- foundation
  https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/the-impact-of-parental-substance-use-on-the-child-foundation/