ABSTRACT

The involvement of signi®cant others (a partner, friend and/or family members) can help in tackling problem drinking in several ways; for example, by providing positive responses to drinking abstinence, decreasing cues for drinking, giving support for not drinking, changing the nature of a relationship, and aiding access to further and new social support systems. The practitioner should thus consider involving a signi®cant other in therapy. There are numerous ways in which this can be achieved, as presented below.