Family Members affected by Addictive Disorders: The Impact of Type of Addictive Disorder on depression and ill-health

Background

Family Members affected by Addictive Disorders (FMAs) are a substantial group and show elevated rates of depression and ill health. Little is known about the impact of specific types of addictive disorders on FMAs. Most studies have been restricted to small irrepresentative samples or did not analyze clinical meaningful outcomes. The present study aims to analyze differences in clinical depression and health status in FMAs facing different types of addictive disorders in a representative panel sample from Germany.

Methods

Within the “German Health Update” study GEDA 2014/2015, a nationally representative panel of German residents aged 15 or older, participants (N=24,450) were asked if they had a family member with current or past addictive disorder, the type of addictive disorder and the relationship status. In addition, self-rated health and depression were assessed using standardized questionnaires.  FMAs facing different types of addictive disorders (alcohol, drugs, gambling, prescription drugs, multiple addictive disorders; Nvalid=3,376) were compared regarding relationship status and sociodemographic variables. Differences regarding ill health and depression were analyzed controlling for age, gender and recency of addiction type problems.

Results

Most FMAs were affected by addictive disorders due to alcohol (66.1%), followed by multiple addictive disorders (19.2%) and addictive disorders due to cannabis (4.1%). Groups showed remarkable differences regarding relationship and sociodemographic status: relatives with addictive disorders due to illicit drugs and cannabis were more often reported by parents, relatives with addictive disorders due to prescription drugs were more often reported by males. FMAs facing multiple addictive disorders showed the highest level of depression and ill-health even when confounders like recency of addiction, relationship status and gender were statistically controlled. Rates of clinical depression according to PHQ8 were significantly elevated in FMAs facing single addiction problems (15.6%) as well as in FMAs facing multiple addictive disorders (25.1%) compared to respondents not facing addictive disorders in their families (8.6%).

Conclusions

The results indicate that family members affected by different types of addictive disorders show remarkable differences in sociodemographic variables and clinical impairment. General population studies could aid to better understand the impact of addictive disorders-specific stressors on the social networks of the users. Implications for further research are discussed.