Against the Current: Exploring the Experiences of Five Fathers With a History of Substance Use

The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic that affects family systems, yet little is known about the experiences of parents who abuse substances. Five fathers with a substance use disorder, all over the age of 18, and having at least one child, were participants. Qualitative methods were used to uncover how these fathers view their journey of parenthood. In-depth interviews were conducted using the Kawa model as a conceptual framework to gain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences. Four themes emerged. More research is needed to better understand these meaningful occupations and the role gender plays.