AAP: When a Parent Has a Substance Use Disorder, Here's How Pediatricians Can Help

The American Academy of Pediatrics published new clinical guidance on October 26, 2026, ahead of the December 2026 issue of Pediatrics, addressing how pediatricians should support children when a parent has a substance use disorder. The guidance is aimed at clinicians, but its core message matters for parents and caregivers to understand: the pediatrician's office is not just for well-child visits — it can be a critical point of contact for families navigating one of the more difficult situations a household can face.

Why It Matters for Kids

Children growing up in households where a parent has a substance use disorder face a range of elevated risks. Research has consistently shown higher rates of developmental delays, trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, behavioral challenges, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in this population. The risks are real and not uniform — outcomes depend heavily on the nature and severity of the parent's condition, the stability of other caregiving relationships, and whether the child has access to consistent support outside the home.

What the AAP is pointing to is that the pediatric office is often the most consistent point of professional contact in a child's life during the early and school-age years. A pediatrician who is paying attention — and who has built enough trust that a parent will be honest about what's happening at home — is in a unique position to identify problems early and connect families with services.

What Parents Can Do

If you're a parent with a substance use disorder, or you're a caregiver for a child in this situation, the guidance offers a few practical takeaways:

• Your child's pediatrician is a resource, not an authority to fear. The guidance explicitly asks clinicians to create a nonjudgmental environment.
• Be as honest as you're able to be during well-child visits about what's happening at home. The more your pediatrician knows, the more they can help your child.
• Ask your pediatrician about developmental screening and behavioral health referrals. These aren't red flags — they're tools.
• Continuity matters. If possible, keeping your child with the same provider over time allows the relationship and the longitudinal picture to develop.

If you're looking for local support resources in Colorado Springs, your child's pediatrician or the El Paso County Department of Health can connect you with services. You don't need to have everything figured out before asking for help.

What's Next

The full AAP guidance will appear in the December 2026 issue of Pediatrics. A summary for families is available on HealthyChildren.org, the AAP's consumer-facing resource site. The original press release is available at aap.org. If this topic is relevant to your family's situation, bringing it up at your child's next appointment is a good starting point.