Family Approaches to Alcoholism: Why the Lack of Interest among Marriage and Family Professionals?

Abstract

Reasons for lack of attention by marriage and family professionals to applications of family theories to treatment of alcohol problems are explored. Empirical evidence most readily available to family professionals—that which appears in publications related to marriage and family—typically suggests that alcohol abuse is linked to individual neuroses, an area outside their expertise. Additionally, empirical data to dispell cultural myths concerning alcoholics has not often appeared in marriage and family literature. Finally, greater emphasis of family structure over processes may suggest that problems of alcoholic families are more effectively resolved by reorganization and elimination of alcoholics from families. However, if unhealthy family systems produce alcohol abuse rather than vice versa, alcohol problems should subside as family therapy improves health of such families in other areas.