The Alcoholic Family in Recovery. A Developmental Model.

The Alcoholic Family in Recovery offers a developmental model exploring the process of recovery from addiction as it affects the entire family. The model of recovery is very much based on the 12-step philosophy espoused by Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. The process of recovery is delineated by qualitative research within the Family Recovery Research Project. A total of 52 couples and families with lengths of abstinence ranging from 79 days to 18 years were interviewed and assessed, with particular emphasis being given to the meaning of abstinence, the use of alcohol previously, the process of denial of other life problems, and the speed of transition to recovery for individual family members, compared to the family unit. The work of the therapist was to help families to understand recovery as an interactive process. The …