Dealing with alcoholism and abusive behavior within a relationship is challenging. Couples therapy can be part of a comprehensive approach to address these issues, but it's important to consider several factors:

1. Safety First: If there is ongoing abuse, the first priority is the safety of the partner experiencing abuse. Addressing physical safety and establishing boundaries may require consulting with a professional who specializes in domestic violence, not just a couples therapist.
2. Individual Therapy: Before engaging in couples therapy, it might be necessary for the alcoholic partner to seek individual therapy focused on addressing their alcoholism and any abusive tendencies. Substance abuse treatment and therapy for aggressive behavior need to be managed first to ensure that therapy sessions do not exacerbate the problems.
3. Readiness and Consent: Both partners must be willing to participate in therapy. If the alcoholic partner is not at a stage where they acknowledge their problem or are not open to change, therapy is likely to be limited in effectiveness. 4. Approach with Care: Couples therapy in the context of active addiction and abuse needs specialized handling. Therapists who work with such couples should have training in dealing with domestic violence and substance abuse to navigate the complexities and not unintentionally reinforce abusive dynamics. 5. Complementary Interventions: Alongside couples therapy, consider additional support like support groups for each partner (e.g., Al-Anon for the partners of alcoholics, Alcoholics Anonymous for the alcoholic partner) and possibly legal advice if the abuse warrants it. Before proceeding with couples therapy under these challenging circumstances, consulting individually with a therapist to assess the situation and plan appropriate safety measures is crucial.