Computer Intervention May Help Offspring of Alcoholics

The adult children of alcoholics are often at risk not only for substance abuse, but also for depression and other psychological problems. An online resource may be of some value to them, a small pilot study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine suggests. The study randomized 23 adult children of alcoholics to three interventions for eight weeks. The interventions were group therapy only, an online resource called CHESS (Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System), and CHESS plus group therapy. The subjects who had received CHESS plus group therapy were found to have attended group therapy 82 percent of the time, compared with only 43 percent for the group-therapy-only group. Moreover, subjects who received CHESS showed the best psychological health. Thus, CHESS deserves more consideration and study, the researchers believe.

Next week is Children of Alcoholics Week. Information about treatment for alcoholics can be found in the American Psychiatric Publishing book Clinical Manual for Treatment of Alcoholism and Addictions.

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