This book considers the dynamics and characteristics of the alcoholic family. The first part examines the alcoholic family. Needs such as security, love, and self-esteem, and defenses such as denial, rationalization, projection, regression, fantasy, displacement, and avoidance are discussed. Common denominators in the personalities of enablers which facilitate the alcoholic process in family members are identified and discussed. Principle methods of communication in the alcoholic family such as double messages, compartmentalization, arbitrariness, elusiveness, intellectualization, and indifference are examined. The second part looks at alcoholic parents. Traits common to most alcoholics which have an adverse impact on family members, such as impulsivity, low tolerance for frustration, warped perception of time, acute need for short term gratification, and dislike or unhappiness with oneself, are described. The third part of the book examines children of alcoholics. Common characteristics which interfere with their ability to give and receive love as adults, such as constant need for approval, low ability to persevere, inability to trust, unreliability, tendency to lie, attraction to pain, vacillation, inability to get close to others, and terror of being evaluated, are listed and discussed. The fourth part examines the dynamics and effects of single parent alcoholic families, and the fifth part provides a list of do's and don'ts for the non-drinking family members. Case reports are included which demonstrate the characteristics described. (LLL)