Family and Other Close Persons

Abstract

Family relations are for most people the most encompassing and enduring of their social ties. The family’s relevance for the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems is well-known. For these reasons alone, families deserve a special focus in community action. In Lahti, however, the interest in family was based on the awareness of the widespread harm that heavy drinking causes to others. An attempt was thus made to look at ways of helping the family members in their stressful situation.