Treating alcoholics and their spouses: a family-systems centred approach.
The need and rationale for an expanded focus in the treatment of alcoholism are outlined in this paper. The inadequacy of a treatment regime which treats alcoholics in isolation from their families is demonstrated. The author describes the Couples Treatment Program in Regina, which illustrates a new and innovative approach to dealing with underlying issues related to drinking behaviour. This approach recognizes that marital and family issues and perpetuation of drinking are highly interrelated. Recovery involves addressing not only the drinking problem, but also relationship issues that reinforce drinking. The role of the spouse of the alcoholic in treatment and the need for treatment of the entire nuclear family are also mentioned.
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