The similarities between the alcoholic family and the schizophrenic family
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Authors
New, Sonja P.
Issue Date
1989
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis is an exploration of the similarities between the 40 alcoholic family and the schizophrenic family, as described by Mara Selvini-Palazzoli. The research shows that alcoholism counselors and family therapists generally agree that there are many similarities between these two types of families. Selvini-Palazzoli has discovered a new treatment technique--the invariant prescription--that has been successful with schizophrenic families. If further research continues to demonstrate similarities between schizophrenic and alcoholic families, the invariant prescription might prove to be an effective treatment for the alcoholic family. A side benefit in conducting this research has been the discovery of similarities between alcoholism counselors and family therapists. This is significant because the prevalent myth is that there is a wide gulf between them in ideology. However, my research indicates that both groups have a strong belief in a genetic basis to alcoholism and that they both routinely refer clients to 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Also, both groups strongly believe there is a social-interactional base to alcoholism, and both strongly believe that the family needs treatment as well as the alcoholic. Perhaps with so much demonstrable overlap between characteristics of psychotic and alcoholic family organization and between alcoholism counselors and family therapists, the fields of family therapy and alcoholism treatment can overcome a history of divisiveness and work together to better serve the alcoholic family.