For reasons which are not clearly established, it seems that many alcoholic girls marry an alcoholic. These women often behave in such a way as to encourage continuation of their partner's alcohol abuse by making excuses and tolerating the situation. With the help of alcohol abuse specialists, partners of alcoholics can overcome their anxieties and stop acting in a way which encourages their partner to drink. Encouragement given by the partner plays a key role in the withdrawal process, during which progress is too often accepted without comment, whilst failure is severely condemned. It is common for an alcoholic to stop drinking or reduce consumption because of changes occurring in the family - behaviour is modified.
Treatment has a greater chance of success in women if there is support from their spouse.
However in almost half of cases, alcoholic women have a partner who also has an alcohol related problem, ensuring a close correlation between the behaviour of them both. S rie europ enne, N 32. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcoholism. Brown T.G et coll. All Rights Reserved.