Alcoholism treatment and the family: Do family and individual treatments for alcoholic adults have preventive effects for children?

Objective: This article identifies findings on alcoholism treatment and the family that may have implications for prevention of mental health and subs tance abuse problems in children, Method: We conducted a brief overview of research on family treatment for alcoholism and on family adjustment after individual treatment for the alcoholic. Results: Behavioral couples therapy with alcoholics and remission after individual alcoholism treatment have b een associated with improved family functioning in a Variety of domains, in cluding reduced family stressors: improved marital adjustment; reduced dome stic violence and verbal conflict; reduced risk of separation and divorce; improvement in important family processes related to cohesion, conflict and caring; and reduced emotional distress in spouses. These family factors ha ve been linked with child mental health and psychosocial functioning in mor e general child developmental and psychopathology studies. Conclusions: Res earch is needed to find out whether behavioral couples therapy or individua l treatment for an alcoholic parent has beneficial and preventive effects f or children, reducing their risk for mental health and substance abuse prob lems. Studies should determine whether there is a specific link between (a) improvements in family stressors, violence and verbal aggression, marital adjustment and stability and (b) child, adolescent and young adult outcomes for the children in these families.