For five months nine male alcoholics met twice weekly with the writer while their wives met twice weekly with a woman psychologist. After this period four of the couples took part in combined weekly sessions. The duration of the alcoholism averaged thirteen years. Therapy revealed that for these patients alcoholism offered, 1, a means of withdrawal; 2, facilitation of socialization; 3, punishment of self or others; 4, dampening of sorrow or elation; 5, management of frustration or conflict; and 6, shedding of responsibility. Lessening of drinking coincided with improvement of marital relationships, though none of these marriages had been made on a mature basis.