The Wives of Drug Addicts
SUSAN D. TAYLOR R.N.1,
MARY WILBUR A.A.P.S.W.2, , and
ROBERT OSNOS M.D.3
1 Research Associate, American Nurses' Foundation, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, N. Y. 10019
2 Senior Social Worker, Greenwich House Counseling Center, New York, N. Y.
3 Director of Psychiatry (Courts), New York City Community Mental Health Board
The social and psychological traits of women who marry drug addicts, and the effects of drug addiction and marriage upon each other, were studied among 16 couples seen at a psychiatric outpatient clinic for the treatment of drug users. The personality characteristics of the wives were seen as determinants of their continued involvement with weak men whom they can dominate and who make only minimal adult heterosexual demands upon them.
