Couple Therapy for Alcoholism: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manual (Guilford Substance Abuse) - Hardcover

"The authors present a sensible 'how to do it' manual for therapists wanting to apply cognitive-behavioral techniques to the treatment of married alcohol-dependent clients. The book is solidly grounded in the core assumptions and knowledge base of cognitive-behavioral therapy as it has been applied to the treatment of alcoholism. It fills a void for therapists who believe that an abstinence-oriented couples therapy approach is best suited to effectively deal with alcohol troubled clients. Case examples and appendices provide ample material for the experienced cognitive-behavioral therapist versed in substance abuse treatment to implement this therapeutic modality. The book is 'clinically savvy' and will join the growing resource of treatment manuals available for treating clients with alcohol problems." --Richard Longabaugh, Ed.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University "A detailed treatment manual developed by leading researchers for use in a clinical trial of promising approaches to couples therapy for alcoholism. It provides for the first time in book form a complete and systematic practitioner's guide to a couples therapy intervention for alcoholism. It is must reading for clinicians and researchers involved with alcoholics and their families." --Timothy J. O'Farrell, Ph.D., Harvard Families and Addictions Program "Any therapist who wishes to attempt couple therapy will find this manual offers clear guidelines from rapport building to termination. Plentiful exercises are included from which to choose in tailoring the treatment to individual needs. The idea of parallel process makes this truly a couple treatment." --"Journal of Family Psychotherapy" "There is great specificity about how to implement this model and excellent guides in the Appendix." --"Behavioral Health Treatment"

Recent research in the treatment of alcoholism has shown that the involvement of a spouse or partner improves outcome for the client. This hands-on guide presents a time-limited, cognitive-behavioral treatment in the context of couple therapy.
The volume demonstrates how to engage the alcoholic's partner as an active participant in the treatment process. Using this state-of-the-art approach, the practitioner can respond to the needs of both the alcoholic and the partner, which may motivate the couple to remain in treatment and learn the skills they need to overcome the many struggles inherent in a relationship affected by alcoholism. Organized so that each chapter and the suggested interventions may stand alone or be integrated with a variety of therapeutic approaches, the book includes numerous illustrative case examples and a wealth of reproducible handouts in the form of exercises, charts, and sample dialogues. This book will be of interest to practitioners treating couples or individuals with alcohol problems, as well as researchers interested in an empirically validated approach for couples in alcohol treatment.