ABSTRACT
The following intervention is part of a treatment model, Systemic Couples Therapy for Substance-Abusing Women (SCT) (McCollum et al., 1993; Nelson et al., 1996; Wetchler et al., 1994; Wetchler et al., 1993) that provides a relational treatment focus for substance abusers. The model integrates aspects of strategic (Haley, 1987; Watzlawick, Weakland, and Fisch, 1974), structural (Minuchin, 1974), and transgenerational (Bowen, 1978; Kerr and Bowen, 1988) family therapies. It has been tested over a five-year period as an addition to traditional drug treatment for substance-abusing women. While the approach has been tested on women, it is believed also to be helpful with men.
