This paper examines the counseling of alcoholics in an effort to determine its value and significance. It includes a cursory look at the development, etiology and history of treatment methods and the role of personality theory. However, the main emphasis is on the different types of counseling used in each particular counseling setting. The settings include doctors' offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pastoral settings, social agencies, industry and Alcoholics Anonymous. Research indicates that, regardless of the institution or method, the recovery rate for alcoholics is very low. However, in the past 35 years, the recovery rate has risen from approximately 1% to approximately 35%. One of the major future needs is intensive, controlled studies on the various types of treatment now being used to measure their relative efficacy and determine the type of patient for which each method is most suitable. (Author/HMV)