Barns upplevelser när föräldrars missbruk upphört: “Alltså det är svårt att må bra igen”

This article is based on interviews with fifteen children, whose parents have addiction problems. PURPOSE: To contribute to in-depth understanding of children's situation when parents have ceased abusing drugs or alcohol. METHOD: An explorative interview study with childhood sociology and symbolic interactionism as theoretical framework. OUTCOME: The end of the abuse gives children space to feel how they feel, to reflect on the impact of the addiction on their health and personality, and to try changing themselves and their lives. Their need for processing may last for a long time. It can take time and be difficult to build up the relationship with the parent. Children can still feel care responsibility but also distrust and worry about relapses. However, teenagers can see opportunities to move on with their own life. If the abuse ends only for one of two parents with addiction problems, children are still affected by addiction. CONCLUSION: Children's need for processing in relation to the parents can both be time consuming and last for a long period of time, regardless of if the child lives with the parent or not. Children may need help for their own part but also in relation to the parent. Professionals should be encouraged to work with a family perspective, regardless of organizational divisions and if parents and children live together or not. This requires structures, procedures and resources for collaboration across organizational boundaries.