The homeostatic functions of drinking in alcoholic couples

There is much theoretical, research, and clinical evidence to suggest that drinking serves a homeostatic function in alcoholic marriages. This study sought to show that this function was related to the regulation of emotional intimacy. Fifteen Alcoholic and fifeen Control couples completed a family environment questionnaire for sober, drinking, and ideal conditions. Seven Alcoholic couples were also interviewed about their marriages. Questionnaire results indicated significant expected changes from sober to drinking family environment in the alcoholic couples, but yielded no further support for the hypotheses. The interviews suggested several possible homeostatic functions of drinking in the alcoholic couples, including the regulation of emotional intimacy. Results are discussed in terms of drinking serving as a marker event for changes in interpersonal environment and in terms of "alcoholism" being related to environmental contex