This course is an introduction to the family as a dynamic system focusing on the effects of addiction pertaining to family roles, rules and behavior patterns. We will discuss the impact of mood altering substances and behaviors and therapeutic alternatives as they relate to the family from a multicultural and transgenerational perspective. This will include explanations as to the cause of alcoholism, understanding how family relationship frameworks exist, gender-culture-ethnicity factors in families, how alcoholic families are treated and the impact of substance abuse and addictive behaviors on families.