Based on the authors' extensive research, this book focuses on the context, processes, and outcomes of alcoholism treatment programs. It also investigates the influence of factors such as marital status, gender, family and work environments, stressful life events, and personal coping responses on patients' functioning up to 10 years after treatment. Bridging the gap between alcoholism treatment research and the field of program evaluation, this innovative study argues for a broader approach to treatment evaluation than the commonly used black-box model. In addition, it examines the impact of alcohol abuse on spouses and children of alcoholic patients. It will prove invaluable for those working in professional and lay groups interested in alcohol and substance abuse, as well as researchers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers.

PART I: A Systems Evaluation of Alcoholism Treatment; 1. Evaluating and Improving Alcoholism Treatment Programs; 2. Objectives, Methods, and Assessment of Treatment Implementation; 3. Short-Term Outcome and Patient Prognosis; 4. The Process and Effects of Treatment; 5. Gender and Marital Status in Treatment and Outcome; 6. Life Stressors, Social Resources, and Coping Responses; PART II: Extratreatment Factors and the Recovery Process; 7. Context, Coping, and Treatment Outcome; 8. The Process of Recovery and Relapse; PART III: Alcoholism and the Family; 9. Spouses of Alcoholic Partners; 10. Children of Alcoholic Parents; 11. Improving Treatment, Work, and Family Settings; 12. Implications for Treatment and Program Evaluation

Rudolf H. MoosProfessor of Psychiatry and Director of Social Ecology Laboratory, John W. FinneySenior Research Associate, Ruth C. CronkiteResearch Associate, all at Stanford University, California

"Divided into four main parts, this book reports on original research into the biological, psychological, and social aspects of alcoholism, inquiries attempting to connect treatment research and treatment program evaluation. . . . A richj list of references at the end of the book contains approximately 425 items. The book has an abundance of nice graphs and tables of data, and so presents some rather technical, satisfying reading." Psychological Reports