@article {Kroll:May 2004:1356-7500:129, author = "Kroll B.", title = "Living with an elephant: Growing up with parental substance misuse", journal = "Child & Family Social Work", volume = "9", year = "May 2004", abstract = "

Although parental substance misuse is now a focus of concern in child welfare practice, we know little about what it is really like for children who grow up in families where adult drug and/or alcohol use is an issue. Set against a backdrop of research links between parental substance misuse and child maltreatment, this article examines a number of studies that focus on the experiences of children and young people in this context. Emerging themes are identified which provide insight into the world of children for whom a substance is, effectively, a family member –‘the elephant in the living room’– and the implications for practice, particularly in relation to children's visibility, disclosure and confidentiality, are considered. It is argued that a focus on the ‘elephant’ often leads to children remaining ‘invisible’ to those whose role it is to ensure their welfare.", pages = "129-140(12)", url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cfsw/2004/00000009/00000002/art00001" doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1365-2206.2004.00325.x" }