Family participation in the treatment of alcoholism.

The effect of family involvement on the efficacy of alcoholic treatment was investigated. Degree of family involvement, as measured by the participation of the wives of 60 alcoholics in a hospital family lecture series, was compared to recidivism rates and to completion of the in-patient treatment program. The wives' participation was closely related to whether or not their husbands completed in-patient treatment. Participation also appeared to be related to - recidivism although additional services in the area of counseling for discharged alcoholic patients and their families are obviously needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]