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The socioeconomic, health, and family situation of adult siblings of patients with substance use diagnosis: A descriptive registry study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Few studies have considered the characteristics of adult siblings of individuals with substance use problems. We report on their family situation, labour market attachment, education, and healthcare utilisation. Using Norwegian register data, we identified 131,249 siblings of individuals with substance use diagnoses recorded between 2008 and 2018 (‘SUD-Siblings’). A subsample of 112,320 siblings with no substance use diagnosis themselves ('SUD Siblings Excl' ) was matched by age and gender to a comparison group with no substance use diagnosis among either the individuals or their siblings (‘Comparison’). We compared proportions and means. SUD-Siblings Excl were more often divorced (13.8%) than the Comparison group (11.3%), fewer had work as the main income source (75.3% vs. 83.3%), and a larger share received disability pension (13.8% vs. 8.6%) or had sickness absence (23.2% vs. 19.2%). A greater proportion had consulted a general practitioner (75.2% vs. 71.6%), especially relating to mental health (17.4% vs. 12.6%) and musculoskeletal issues (29.9% vs. 26.7%). Hospital admissions were more common (8.5% vs. 7.1%; p-values of all above comparisons <.001). Adult siblings of individuals with substance use problems face substantial challenges compared to individuals without siblings with such diagnoses. They are more likely to be divorced, less likely to have work as their main income source, and show higher levels of health problems, as indicated by higher sickness absence, disability pension rates, and healthcare use. We compare siblings of substance use patients (SUD-Siblings) to other siblings SUD-Siblings are less likely to have work as their main income source SUD-Siblings have more sickness absence and more hospital admissions SUD-Siblings have more mental health and musculoskeletal consultations Young SUD-Siblings are less likely to attend higher education

Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112918

Authors: Torleif Halkjelsvik, Solveig Glestad Christiansen, Inger Synnøve Moan, Øystein Kravdal

Institutions: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, University of Oslo

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,380