D.A.D.S. Club: Pilot Study Outcomes of a 5-Week Parenting Program for Fathers in Recovery from Substance Use Disorder

Background: Over 44 million adults have a substance use disorder, with approximately two million children living with a parent with this disorder. Approximately 40% to 60% of men who receive treatment have a child under 18 years of age. However, most parenting programs are developed and implemented for mothers with addiction, leaving fathers without this fundamental knowledge and skills. Method: A pilot study using a longitudinal interventional study was conducted to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of an occupational therapy-developed program for fathers in recovery. Pre and post surveys, including the Parenting Sense of Competence, were collected from the participants to measure D.A.D.S Club, a 5-week parenting program. Results: D.A.D.S Club was offered three times, and 43 participated in the program, with 13 completing it in its entirety. On completion, the participants’ overall parental self-efficacy showed a statistically significant improvement, and the mean for parental knowledge, skills, self-efficacy in each session, and overall parental satisfaction stayed the same or improved. Conclusion: Further study of D.A.D.S Club with a larger sample and long-term follow-up with study participants is important to understand its true impact on fathers in recovery. Addressing the intersection of substance use disorder and fatherhood through occupational therapy like the D.A.D.S Club can contribute to improved outcomes for fathers in recovery.