Short report
Alcoholism from a systems point of view
Th. Compernolle
Following a reductionistic, lineal and summative paradigm one isolates the alcohol abuser out of his context and hence one tends to hypothesize intrapsychic dynamics (e.g. oral and narcissistic) to explain his behaviour. From a systems point of view the alcoholist is studied and treated as an open system in interaction with a particular environment wherein the family plays a primordial role. Family therapy is a tool to change the context. This tool is of paramount importance for the treatment of adolescent alcohol abuses. The restoration of adequate joined authority of the parents together with group therapy techniques and sex counseling are crucial for the outcome of Family Therapy with this young drug abusers.