Alcoholism in Hard Core Families: A Study of Treatment Methods Used in Six Multi-Problem Cases at Catholic Charities Family Service, New York City, 1944-1957
Abstract
The problem of alcoholism, its bases, the methods and facilities for treatment have commanded particular attention during recent years. While alcoholism is seen primarily as a psychological disease, it has always had insidious and far-reaching social consequences, and hence has been of great concern to the social agencies. Welfare agencies have to provide food and shelter for the homeless alcoholic, as well as provide support for the families of those men who drink steadily and are entirely incapable of holding a job or of carrying the responsibility of a family. At times these agencies must place and maintain children because one or both parents are incapable of maintaining a home as a result of alcoholic addiction. Child welfare and protective agencies are called upon to investigate neglect, physical danger, or abuse which children suffer from alcoholic parents. Family agencies are concerned with families who have both periodic disruptions due to economic distress, temporary separation, and abusive behavior as well as long-term discontent, hardship and quarrelling. Children, whose functioning is disturbed by the difficult home conditions, come to the attention of family agencies very frequently. That family agencies should be very close to alcoholism is not surprising since the alcoholic is usually to be found living with his family. It has been estimated that only ten percent of the nation’s alcoholics are living on Skid Row. Further most alcoholics work enough to provide economic support for their families, and are not yet public charges.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology|Individual & family studies|Social work
Recommended Citation
Maye, Katherine Mary, "Alcoholism in Hard Core Families: A Study of Treatment Methods Used in Six Multi-Problem Cases at Catholic Charities Family Service, New York City, 1944-1957" (1957). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30509599.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30509599
