FAMILY-THERAPY TREATMENT OUTCOMES FOR ALCOHOLISM

We conducted a meta-analysis of 21 studies of family-involved therapy for alcoholism, evaluating them for design adequacy, clinical signific ance, and effect size. The review is divided into studies of family in volvement in three phases of treatment: (a) initiation of treatment, ( b) primary treatment/rehabilitation, and (c) aftercare. We conclude th at family therapy is effective in motivating alcoholics to enter treat ment. Once the drinker enters treatment, family-involved treatment is marginally more effective than individual alcoholism treatment. The da ta suggest that three factors may mediate the effect of treatment: gen der,investment in the relationship, and perceived support from the spo use for abstinence. Modest benefits have been obtained in family-invol ved relapse prevention programs. The most recent studies are starting to address these issues by developing treatment models specifically fo r women alcoholics and identifying factors that could be used to match appropriate treatments to alcoholics and their families. These effort s are just beginning, however, and we make a number of recommendations to support implementation of these and other efforts.