Married or cohabiting female alcoholic patients (n = 138) and their non-substance-abusing male partners were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 equally intensive interventions: (a) behavioral couples therapy plus individual-based treatment (BCT; n = 46), (b) individual-based treatment only (IBT; n = 46), or (c) psychoeducational attention control…

This study attempts to identify the specific demographic and sociological characteristics related to improvement for 48 male alcoholic patients who participated in two contrasting one-month inpatient treatment programs. Of the 48 subjects, 27 participated in a broad spectrum behavior therapy program (experimental group). The remaining 21 subjects…

This paper describes a study which compared the results of treating out-patient middle-income problem drinkers with: (1) a multi-component positive reinforcement procedure emphasizing moderation; or (2) traditional group encounter therapy emphasizing abstinence. Results suggested that behavioral treatment was more effective than traditional…

Alcoholism is a complex behavior pattern. Social learning theory, which is concerned with the analysis of why individuals behave in certain ways and the effects of reinforcement patterns in their behaviors, offers an alternative to traditional treatments of alcoholics. Among alcoholics, drinking is a control issue. Locus of control is viewed as a…

Combining childhood roles and interpersonal theory produces a schematic model that includes all adult children of alcoholics, enhances understanding of the group dynamic, and suggests specific group treatment strategies. (Author)

This guide and accompanying facilitator's handbook take a family approach to problem drinking. They are intended to accomplish the following purposes: (1) increase knowledge and understanding of alcoholism, its progression as a disease, and its effects on the alcoholic and the family; (2) provide an opportunity for sharing knowledge and…