Family systems and family therapy of substance abuse: an overview of two decades of research and clinical experience.

Substantial recent progress has been made in the study of family systems and in the field of family therapy. The gradual application of these new technologies to the field of substance abuse is discussed. A shift has occurred toward quantitative assessment of the three generational systems of the substance abuser as well as inclusion of that entire system in the family therapy. Family therapy treatment methods have been developed to motivate substance abusers, detoxify them, and work with the family when the identified patient is not involved in treatment and to restructure the entire family. The field of family therapy evaluation is in its infancy but plans are underway for elaborate scientific investigation of efficacy.