Objective: To investigate the expectations of wives of alcoholics in treatment at different stages of Psychosocial Care Center Alcohol and Drugs (PCCad) Petrolina-PE Brazil. Methods: A descriptive and qualitative study, involving 9 women between 39 and 71 years who live with alcoholics spouses representing 3 groups at different times of treatment, each consisting of three wives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews between January and March 2010 and submitted to the technique of content analysis. Results: The analysis focused on the existence of any differences in evaluations that wives made about the changes with their husbands in family relationships. Expectations about the treatment PCCad were optimistic in the 3 groups, emerging as main focus the hope that the spouse stops drinking. Conclusion: This study highlights the credibility of PCCad through predominantly positive expectations, emphasizing the idea that the institution has achieved, despite the difficulties, build, with its partners professionals, family and community, a collective positive impact on their working dynamics