ABSTRACT

In a one-to two-year follow-up study, 39 wives of alcoholics answered questions about the present status of problems they had when they first visited the counseling program. At the time of the initial session, most of their husbands were still drinking, and were not receiving professional therapy.

Treatment planning was based on the family evaluation of each client. Forty-one percent of the wives attended counseling only one or two times and only 31% of them attended more than 10 sessions.

Overall improvement of the initial problems, especially violence within the family, was excellent. Prognosis was usually good if the clients found support in other people even when they stopped the counseling in early stages. This study confirms that there can be recovery of the alcoholic family if at least one family member takes action and contacts a helping resource.