title: Alcohol-focused spouse involvement and behavioral couples therapy: evaluation of enhancements to drinking reduction treatment for male problem drinkers.
abstract: This study evaluated the effects of alcohol-focused spouse involvement and behavioral couples therapy (BCT) in group drinking reduction treatment for male problem drinkers. Sixty-four male clients and their female partners were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: treatment for problem drinkers only (PDO), couples alcohol-focused treatment, or the latter combined with BCT. Clients whose partners were included in treatment evidenced fewer heavy drinking days and more abstinent/light drinking days in the year following treatment, relative to PDO clients. The combination of alcohol-focused spouse involvement and BCT yielded no better outcomes than alcohol-focused spouse involvement alone. Drinking consequences, spouse behavioral support for drinking reduction, and relationship satisfaction showed no effects of treatment condition.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA. walitzer@ria.buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Kimberly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Walitzer
authors.forename: Kurt H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Dermen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires