An Alternative Role for the Wife of an Alcoholic in Finland

Abstract

This paper describes wives oqf alcoholics in Finland who create independent existences for themselves while remaining married. Data gathered through intensive interviews with 75 wives of alcoholics in Helsinki indicate that although all spouses attempt to help their husbands stop drinking, 40 per cent escape an existence of increasing isolation and despair when he continues to imbibe. This substantial minority experiences a change in perspective. Such wives increase work and hobby skills, gain job promotions, schedule their time to avoid contact with husbands, making their own friends and social plans. Husbands attempting sobriety after this development may find wives torn between marital duty and this separate existence.