I.A family systems approach to alcoholism -- Setting the stage: the core issues -- Prevalence and diagnosis: the family perspective -- II. The life history model of the alcoholic family -- Regulating behavior in the alcoholic family -- Growth and development in the alcoholic family -- III. The early phase of development -- Developing an alcoholic family identity -- IV. The middle phase of development -- The sobriety-intoxication cycle: family problem-solving and alcoholic behavior -- Daily routines as regulators of home life -- Alcoholism and family ritual disruption -- V. The late phase of development -- Late-phase options for the alcoholic family -- The intergenerational transmission of alcoholism -- VI. Treating the alcoholic family -- Family therapy approaches to alcoholism.