Perceptions of family functioning in families with alcoholics in treatment

Clubs of alcoholics in treatment (CAT) are a special form of self-managed therapeutic community, which has a long history in Croatia. The first clubs were founded in 1964 by Professor Hudolin. CATs operate as multi-family communities of treated alcoholics and their families. The main goal is to help the alcoholic and his or her family maintain abstinence and develop a healthier lifestyle. A recommended size of a CAT is 12 members, each club has a professional staff member and meetings are held once a week. Participation usually begins after hospitalisation or a court order. The aim of this study was to examine family functioning among members of CATs in Zagreb.

A total of 304 CAT members (227 alcoholics and 77 family members) in 38 CATs in Zagreb participated in a study aimed at examining their family functioning. The Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaliatuon (SCORE -15, Stratton et al., 2010) was used to assess family functioning. SCORE -15 is a self-report measure of family functioning and therapeutic change. The purpose of this study was to assess the family functioning of alcoholics in treatment and to examine the differences in perceptions of family functioning between alcoholics in treatment and their family members, as well as to examine the correlation between family functioning and duration of attendance at CAT sessions, regularity of attendance, self-esteem, self-efficacy, personal well-being, and some indicators of mental health.

Descriptive statistics indicate relatively good family functioning, with the most positive results for perceptions of family strengths. There are no differences in perceptions of family functioning between treated alcoholics and their family members. Other results are discussed in the study.

Improved family functioning is an important outcome of CATs that deserves greater empirical attention.