Alcohol abuse in clients presenting with marital problems.

Eighty-four women and 56 men seeking marital therapy were assessed for alcohol abuse, current marital disagreements about alcohol abuse, and reported interspousal aggression. More than one third of the men in the sample met the criterion for alcoholism on a standard alcoholism screening interview, one fifth of the men self-reported drinking at unsafe levels, and more than four fifths of the Ss reported marital disagreements about alcohol abuse at least "frequently." Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported the occurrence of physical aggression in their relationship. Reported alcohol problems were associated with more severe marital distress, more steps being taken toward divorce, and greater male aggression. The results suggest that routine screening of marital therapy clients for alcohol abuse is needed.