This research investigated the incidence of stress and its sources in alcoholics' wives by applying Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory and a semi-structured interview in 31 women whose husbands were attended by a chemical dependents' clinic located inland of Pernambuco State, Brazil. It was concluded that 93.53% of the wives presented stress diagnosis, with psychological (70.96%), physical (19.35%) and both psychological and physical symptoms (3.22%). The following external sources of stress were identified: overload feeling due to the assumption of the whole family responsibility; lack of support concerning to their husband's addiction; and verbal aggressions suffered from their husbands. In regard to internal sources: inability to identify alternatives that can be helpful to their husband's recovery; angry feeling when they are drunk; and tension and worry when they leave home. Therefore, it has become clear the need to develop stress programs for this population which are focused on prevention and handling abilities.
alcohol abuse; family; stress
