Alcoholism and Family Support This paper reviews the literature o

In their review of treatment effectiveness programs for alcoholism, Sue, Sue and Sue (1994) noted that there was a tremendous amount of variance in effectiveness for all forms of treatment. The authors concluded that this variance was explainable by a number of different life-context factors which contributed to the alcoholic's motivation to maintain sobriety. Is one of these life-context factors that of family support for sobriety?

Unfortunately, there has not been a great deal of current empirical investigation into family support. In a search of two databases (PsychInfo and Dissertation Abstracts International), very few studies conducted from 1985 to 1994 could be found. Most of the studies examining these variables were conducted prior to 1985.

For example, in 1984, Melvin presented a comprehensive review of the literature on how the ex-alcoholic fares after the attainment of sobriety and presented results of a small study of 4 male and 6 female ex-alcoholics (mean age 40.4 yrs), all of whom had at least three years of sobriety. According to Melvin (1984), the literature indicated that the quality of life of the ex-alcoholic can be disturbed and marked by depre

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em for role performance. The most startling finding in this report was the prevalence of child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, in this sample of women. During their childhood years the women reported much disruption within their homes and generally remembered a traumatic childhood. Parental conflict and alcoholism were common occurrences. As children, the women felt lonely, unloved and alienated within their families and the community. Similar issues of role alteration, loss and dissatisfaction followed into adult life. The women most often cited a disruption in a partner relationship as precipitation to their problem drinking. Limited economic opportunities contributed to low education, high unemployment and the absence of meaningful work. The oppressive conditions faced by the women influenced not only the onset and progression of their alcoholism but their opportunities for recovery as well. Interestingly, it was found that most of the sober women entered the recovery process with little family support. Membership in the self help group, Alcoholics Anonymous was a distinctive feature of the women who had achieved sobriety in this study. It was concluded that the members of these groups provided the family
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Approximate Word count = 1530
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)