Abstract
Many physicians perceive the typical alcoholic as one who exists largely in isolation, having lost contact with family and friends, and essentially without any social support system. In reality, the majority of alcoholics exist within intact family structures. The effects of the alcoholic on the family are profound, resulting in significant functional impairment of these family members, often termed “codependents.” As Wegscheider has stated, “few alcoholics play out their drama alone. Like the embattled protagonist of a Shakespearean tragedy, blind and unknowing, they take a whole cast of supporting characters down with them.”1
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© 1987 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
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Griner, M.E., Griner, P.F. (1987). Alcoholism and the Family. In: Barnes, H.N., Aronson, M.D., Delbanco, T.L. (eds) Alcoholism. Frontiers of Primary Care. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4786-9_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4786-9_19
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