Treating Chemical Dependency: The Need for Including the Family

Regression analysis was used to test Family Systems Therapy as a fruitful approach in chemical dependency treatment. Results indicate that the concerned person's perceptions of family life are critical in determining whether a family completes therapy or terminates early. Using both family and individual level variables, the significance and direction of the coefficients are consistent with the Family Systems Therapy model. Results support the importance of including the family in chemical dependency treatment.