How do drugs and alcohol in the home contribute to child-to-parent violence?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-03-04 03:00

Australia; VIC

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Parent consumption of alcohol is linked to alcohol and drug-related child-to-parent violence, according to Australian research. The team surveyed 119 Australian caregivers who were experiencing violent abuse from a young person about their drug and alcohol use as well as the young person's substance use. They say parental alcohol use was linked to instances of child-to-parent violence where the child was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but there was no link with parental drug use, likely because few survey participants reported any drug use. The researchers say their findings could mean parental drinking habits are influencing young people, but it also could mean alcohol is being used as a coping strategy in a violent situation.