The subjective experiences of parents of adolescent substance users, their knowledge of and access to available treatment resources

Abstract

Substance use is certainly not a new phenomenon, however, it is one that remains a significant problem in the lives of adolescents, especially in low-income communities. This phenomenon not only affects the individual and society, but also the family and parents/guardians of the substance user. Parents within low-income contexts may feel overlooked in planning and service delivery initiatives, which may lead to a lack of appropriate knowledge and resources for parents when confronted with a child who uses substances. This, in turn, amplifies the challenges faced within resource-constrained environments, and further perpetuates ineffective coping strategies and poor well-being for parents.