Exploring the Wellbeing Experiences of Families with a Parent with Difficulties with Opioid Use and Involvement in Services: A Secondary Analysis

Abstract

This study explores the wellbeing experiences of families with a parent facing opioid use difficulties, focusing on their involvement with psychosocial support services in England and Scotland. Utilising a qualitative secondary analysis of interviews with 18 parents, the research employs thematic analysis to uncover five core themes: (1) Marginalised by Perception, highlighting societal and institutional stigma, (2) Trapped Within: Warped Minds and Connections, detailing the psychological and relational toll of addiction, (3) Pathways Through Treatment: Bridges and Barriers, examining facilitators and obstacles in recovery, (4) Post Addiction, addressing identity reconstruction and lingering challenges, and (5) Impact on Psychosocial Factors, revealing the broader consequences for family wellbeing. The findings highlight the dual burden of stigma and structural barriers, with parents reporting discrimination across multiple services, often exacerbated by gendered stereotypes. Positive therapeutic alliances and peer support emerged as crucial to recovery, yet systemic gaps undermined trust and continuity. The study highlights the resilience of families, with recovery frequently motivated by parental roles and relational repair, though compounded by socioeconomic precarity and emotional trauma. This research contributes to the limited qualitative literature on familial experiences of opioid use in the UK, advocating for trauma-informed, family-centred interventions that address stigma, holistic care, and systemic inequities. Implications call for policy reforms to integrate psychosocial support with clinical treatment, prioritising dignity, relational healing, and long-term stability for opioid-affected families.