Describes the Family Environment Scale (FES). Discussion of family member's real and ideal family environment identifies areas of agreement and disagreement about actual and desired aspects of family functioning. This procedure can focus each therapy session on specific interpersonal issues and encourage family members to take an active part.…

Research and clinical support for the connections between alcohol abuse and the family milieu have generated increased interest in family treatment approaches to alcoholism. In assessing the "alcoholic family," the clinician must consider numerous aspects of family interaction which have been linked to abuse and to treatment outcomes.…