Reciprocal depression in recovering alcoholic couples: The efficacy of psychodynamic group treatment

Abstract

This single case study describes an outpatient psychodynamic therapy group for recovering alcoholic couples established in the Family Studies Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Studies, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. While depression in the recovering alcoholic is widely recognized, the authors stress their observation of recurrent depression in the “well” spouse and note a tendency for depression to alternate between members of a couple. The authors suggest clinicians need sensitivity to this issue and that a psychodynamic therapy group is an effective treatment modality for married alcoholics and their spouses.