The widespread problem of substance abuse negatively affects users and their families. This paper provides a methodological review of empirical studies that focused on systemic interventions (particularly marital and family therapy) in the treatment of substance abuse. The articles examined here focused on engaging the addict in treatment, reducing addictive behavior, and maintaining recovery while readjusting the interpersonal environment of the addict. Analyses of these studies centered on subjects, therapists, dependent measures, treatment specification, experimental design, and data analysis and interpretation of results. Three weaknesses were found in the subject section: (1) insufficient selection criteria; (2) inadequate subject description; and (3) small sample sizes. Neither the therapist's characteristics nor the treatment specifications are clarified adequately in many studies. A concern with the dependent measures of the research was the inconsistent use of multi-modal outcome measures. Experimental design weaknesses include the comparison of inequitable treatments. Finally, data analysis was frequently incomplete due to the fact that drop-outs were not included in the final analysis of results. Although these methodological considerations are serious, the quality of current research has improved. A discussion of the overall methodological considerations of substance abuse and systemic therapy research precedes the review of studies. (RJM)