Behavioral marital therapy couples groups for male alcoholics and their wives

This article presents in detail the clinical procedures for a behavioral marital therapy (BMT) couples group for male alcoholics. Methods used to recruit and prepare couples for therapy are presented. In the BMT couples group, therapists use behavioral rehearsal and weekly homework assignments to help couples decrease drinking and alcohol-related interactions by making an Antabuse Contract and discussing relapse prevention; plan shared recreational activities; notice, acknowledge, and initiate daily caring behaviors; learn communication skills of listening, expressing feelings directly, and the use of planned communication sessions; and negotiate desired changes using positive specific requests, compromise, and written agreements. Methods for dealing with resistance and noncompliance in the group are also described. Finally, modifications in the BMT treatment package presented here that may be helpful in other settings are described.