Examined whether families with alcoholic (N=39), recovered alcoholic (N=44), or only nonalcoholic members (N=42) differed on structural variables of cross-generational coalitions and hierarchy reversals. Results showed disproportionate number of reversals in alcoholic families: hierarchical reversals in 23 alcoholic families compared to 6…

Data from study of dominance in alcoholics' marriage (N=8 couples) revealed little support for contention that alcoholics are submissive or less influential than their spouses. Alcohol may reduce discrepancy between alcoholics' perceptions of their influencing ability and their actual performance, supporting models of alcoholism and marriage which…

The use of family therapy is increasing in treatment of drug abuse, but in terms of federal policy the family is often ignored. The family therapist must be aware of legal considerations regarding release of information and confidentiality. (JAC)

Compared couples with alcoholic husbands and maritally conflicted and nonconflicted couples without alcohol problems. The alcoholic and maritally conflicted couples showed greater relationship distress than nonconflicted couples of measures of marital stability, change desired, and positive communication behaviors. Alcoholic husbands reported less…

Therapists (N=250) completed questionnaires rating the frequency, severity, and treatment difficulty for 29 problems commonly experienced by distressed couples. Responses indicated a number of potential directions for research in marital therapy. Communication and alcoholism were rated as the most damaging and difficult problems to treat.…

Describes techniques of utilization and indirect suggestion in multiple-family group therapy as a component of an alcoholism treatment program. Techniques include: unconscious conditioning, therapeutic binds, indirect suggestion, and the utilization approach. Describes how a set of specific goals can be achieved using these techniques. (Author/KMF)

Addresses clinical and methodological issues in conducting the Marital Systems Study, a research project evaluating the efficacy of systems-oriented conjoint treatment with couples in which one spouse is abusing alcohol. These include standardizing and monitoring the intervention and developing an interactional perspective on the alcohol-related…

Recommends that family therapists be aware of the dynamics of the malfunctioning family which affects the process of alcoholism. Describes a family program which is part of a comprehensive alcoholism treatment program. Individual and group intervention address the family problems set in motion by alcoholism. (Author/JAC)

We received 38 controlled studies of marital and family therapy (MFT) in alcoholism treatment. We conclude that, when the alcoholic is unwilling to seek help, MFT is effective in helping the family cope better and motivating alcoholics to enter treatment. Specifically, (a) Al-Anon facilitation and referral help family members cope better; (b)…