Experimental Drinking Procedures in the Study of Alcoholics and Their Families: A Consideration of Ethical Issues

In response to G. Koocher's (1991) expressed concerns regarding the use of experimental drinking procedures with alcoholic participants described in our earlier study (Jacob, Krahn, & Leonard, 1991), our discussion focuses on six major issues: risk-benefit analysis, safeguarding participants from harm, linking alcoholic participants with treatment, the use of monetary incentives, fostering the pathology of the alcoholic family, and relationships between alcoholism and adverse family effects. In presenting this material, we hope that readers will become more appreciative of the many implications that human use issues have for the science we pursue and for the welfare of the participants whom we wish to protect.