Family Relationships as a Predictor of Post-Treatment Drug Abuse Relapse: A Follow-Up Study of Drug Addicts and Their Spouses

Authors: Lavee Y.¹; Altus D.²

Source: Contemporary Family Therapy, Volume 23, Number 4, December 2001 , pp. 513-530(18)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This study examined family-of-origin (FO) characteristics of drug addicts and their spouses, who participated in an in-home drug treatment program. Discriminant analysis revealed a set of FO characteristics that differentiated between 25 men who remained drug-free for six months after detoxification and 25 men who suffered a relapse. This set of FO characteristics successfully predicted relapse 30 months later. Men who remained drug-free for the entire period maintained closer relationships with healthy than with unhealthy families, whereas those who relapsed maintained closer relationships with unhealthy families. Compared with those who relapsed, men who remained drug-free also maintained closer relationships with their spouses' families. The findings are discussed in terms of the family system's view of drug abuse, as well as their implications for family-based intervention.

Keywords: drug abuse; family-of-origin; family relations; relapse, therapy

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel; lavee@research.haifa.ac.il 2: National Service for Drug Treatment, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Israel

Publication date: 2001-12-01