Abstract
Supported by a review of relevant literature and a case study, the author argues that family therapy intervention enhances the likelihood of a female alcoholic's positive prognosis. With a basis in systems theory, family therapy views the family as a system and, hence, perceives the alcoholism as a symptom of that family. A profile of the female alcoholic, how her drinking affects her family, and the role that family therapy plays in the recovery process are examined.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Annis, H., & Leban, C. (1980). Alcoholism in women: treatment modalities and outcomes. In O. Kalant (Ed.),Research advances in alcohol and drug problems (pp. 385–422). New York: Plenum Press.
Badiet, P. (1976). Woman and legal drugs: A review. In A. MacLennan (Ed.),Women: Their use of alcohol and other legal drugs (pp. 57–81). Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario.
Beckman, L. J., & Amaro, H. (1984). Patterns of women's use of alcohol treatment agencies. In S. Wilsnack & L. Beckman (Eds.),Alcohol problems in women (pp. 319–348). New York: Guilford.
Braiker, H. (1984). Therapeutic issues in the treatment of alcoholic women. In S. Wilsnack & L. Beckman (Eds.),Alcohol problems in women (pp. 348–368). New York: Guilford.
Busch, H., Kormandy, E., & Feverlein, W. (1973). Patterns of female alcoholics.British Journal of Addiction, 68, 179–184.
Clemmons, P. (1979). Issues in marriage, family, and child counseling in alcoholism. In V. Burtle (Ed.),Women who drink: Alcoholic experiences and psychotherapy (pp. 127–144). Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Curlee, J. (1970). A comparison of male and female patients at an alcoholism treatment center.The Journal of Psychology, 74, 239–247.
Davis, D. (1987).Alcoholism treatment: An integrative family and individual approach. New York: Gardner Press.
Dinaburg, D., Glick, I., & Faigenbaum, E. (1980). Marital therapy of women alcoholics. In C. Eddy & J. Ford (Eds.),Alcoholism in women (pp. 150–160). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.
Erekson, M. T., & Perkins, S. (1989). System dynamics in alcoholic families.Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly: Practitioners Quarterly for Individual, Group and Family Therapy, 6, 59–74.
Finkelstein, N., Kendra, A., & Laham, C. (1981). Alcoholic mothers and guilt: Issues for caregivers.Alcohol Health and Research World, 6, 45–49.
Fraser, W. (1976). The alcoholic woman: attitudes and perspectives. In A. MacLennan (Ed.),Women: Their use of alcohol and other legal drugs (pp. 45–56). Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario.
Gacic, B. (1992). Belgrade systemic approach to the treatment of alcoholism: Principles and interventions.Journal of Family Therapy, 14, 103–122.
Gomberg, E. (1993). Alcohol, women and the expression of aggression.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 53 (Suppl. 11), 89–95.
Gomberg, E. (1987). Shame and guilt issues among women alcoholics.Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly: Practitioners Quarterly for Individual, Group and Family Therapy, 4, 139–155.
Gomberg, E. (1981). Women, sex roles, and alcohol problems.Professional Psychology, 12, 146–155.
Gomberg, E., Nelson, B., & Hatchett, B. (1991). Women, alcoholism and family therapy.Family and Community Health, 13, 61–71.
Kinsey, B. (1966).The female alcoholic: A social psychological study. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Langone J., & Langone, D. de N. (1980).Women who drink. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Lester, H. (1982). The special needs of the female alcoholic.Social Casework, 63, 451–456.
MacAndrew, C. (1982–83). Drunkenness—Associated changes in the self-depictions of female alcoholics.American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 9, 355–366.
McConville, B. (1983).Women under the influence. Great Britain: Virago Press.
O'Farrell, T. (1989). Marital and family therapy in alcoholism treatment.Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 6, 22–29.
Olenick, N., & Chalmers, D. (1991). Gender-specific drinking styles in alcoholics and nonalcoholics.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 52, 325–330.
Page, A. (1980). Counseling. InWomen and alcohol. Camberwell Council on Alcoholism. New York: Tavistock Publications.
Polkinghorne, D. (1983).Methodology for the human sciences. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Rubio-Stipec, M., Bird, H., Canino, G., Bravo, M., & Alegria, M. (1991). Children of alcoholic parents in the community.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 52, 78–88.
Slobota, S. (1974). The children of alcoholics: A neglected problem.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 25, 605–606.
Smart, R. (1979). Female and male alcoholics in treatment: Characteristics at intake and recovery rates.British Journal of Addiction, 74, 275–281.
Sorell, G., Silvia, L., & Busch-Rossnagel, N. (1993). Sex-role orientation and self-esteem in alcoholic and nonalcoholic women.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 54, 566–573.
Stienecker, S. (1976). The changing role of women. In A. MacLennan (Ed.),Woman: Their use of alcohol and other legal drugs (pp. 3–19). Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario.
Steinglass, P., Bennett, L. A., Wolin, S. J., and Reiss, D. (1987).The alcoholic family. New York: Basic Books.
Sylvia, L., & Liepman, M. (1991). Family behaviour loop mapping enhances treatment of alcoholism.Family and Community Health, 13, 72–83.
Vannicelli, M. (1984). Barriers to treatment of alcoholic women.Substance and Alcohol Actions/Misuse, 5, 29–37.
Volpe, J. (1979/80). Links to sobreity.Alcohol Health and Research World, Winter, 39–44.
Wilsnack, S. (1978). Prevention of alcohol problems in women: current status.Alcohol Health and Research World, 3, 23–31.
Wilson, C. (1980). The family. InWomen and alcohol. Camberwell Council on Alcoholism. New York: Tavistock Publications.
Wolfe, J. (1979). A cognitive/behavioral approach to working with women alcoholics. In V. Burtle (Ed.),Woman who drink: Alcoholic experiences and psychotherapy (pp. 197–216). Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Wolin, S. J., Bennett, L. A., Noonan, D. L., & Teitelbaum, M. A. (1980). Disrupted family rituals: A factor in the intergenerational transmission of alcoholism.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 41, 199–214.
Yin, R. (1993).Applications of case study research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rolls, J.A. The recovering female alcoholic: A family affair. Contemp Fam Ther 17, 317–329 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02252669
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02252669