title: A social casework contribution to understanding alcoholism.
abstract: This article describes a 40-year longitudinal study of alcoholism including the etiology of, progression of, and recovery from the disease. The findings are paralleled with similar studies conducted by social work professionals. The capacity of a longitudinal study to elucidate alcoholism and the recovery process is underscored. The etiological hypothesis that views alcoholism primarily as a symptom of psychological instability is questioned.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric