Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs for Couples
Are you and your partner looking for couples rehab programs for drugs or alcohol abuse? It has long been acknowledged that marriage (or other long-term, committed relationships) and substance abuse don’t mix. Taking a partner who drinks too much or uses drugs is very much like throwing a stone into a still pond: the effects ripple out and influence all that is near. In the case of a spouse who uses drugs or drinks too much, the effect is felt by his or her children, relatives, friends, and co-workers. Though, many would argue that, aside from the abuser, the greatest price is often paid by the abuser’s partner. If you would like more information about couples rehab programs and how they can assist you, contact the drug addiction helpline below.
What Might Be Your Main Concerns?
As you know couples in which a partner abuses drugs or alcohol are often very unhappy; in fact, these partners are often more unhappy than couples who don’t have problems with alcohol or other drugs, but who seek help for matrimonial problems. As drinking or drug usage gets worse, it starts to take more and more time away from the couple, taking its toll by creating an emotional distance between the partners that is difficult to overcome. These couples also report that they fight and argue a great deal, which sometimes can become violent. It is frequently the fighting itself that can create an environment or situation in which the partner with the drinking or drug problems uses these substances to reduce his or her stress. When the substance use finally becomes one of the main reasons for fighting or arguing, what we see happen is a vicious cycle, in which substance use causes conflict, the conflict leads to more substance use as a way of decreasing tension, conflict about the substance use escalates, more drinking or drug use occurs, and so on. Couples in which a companion abuses drugs or alcohol have a very difficult time getting out of this downward spiral; luckily, we also know of confirmed ways to help these relationships and, in the course, help the substance abuser recover. So, if you or your partner is taking a problem with alcohol or other drugs, there is hope.
We regularly hear about one family member struggling with addiction while everyone else tries to intervene and provide support. However, it is not unusual for couples to be struggling with a substance abuse issue simultaneously.
Dysfunctional dynamics often grow to keep the family unit together during the addiction process. If both of the persons want to recover, the systems that have developed within the family will have to change considerably if the couple is going to maintain successful sobriety and stay together.
Keep in Mind Recovery is Not an Easy Process
Recovery is not an easy process when only one person’s needs are considered, so the difficulty is enlarged when two people’s needs and the dynamics of a relationship are involved. However, it is probable and, if done right, can be helpful for two people to pursue treatment at the same time.
For those who fight with alcohol abuse, it can be challenging, and for some, impossible to stop independently. Alcohol rehab is an outstanding choice for those struggling with alcohol use and gives them the occasion to step away from the pressures of their daily lives, learn about their disease and how to handle it, and get the tools they need to build a life of recovery.
While it’s quite common for a pair to share an addiction to drugs or alcohol, treatment for substance use disorders has usually been offered on an individual basis. But that’s beginning to change.
Amid a rising drug epidemic that’s affected 23.5 million Americans; some cure centers have begun offering recovery programs for couples.
Couples-based packages can seem like an enticing option when two people in a committed relationship decide to seek substance abuse treatment. For many, the choice to enter rehab can feel scary and overwhelming, and it can be soothing to go through the process with their partner. If someone is struggling with the idea of being disconnected from their spouse or significant other during treatment, couples rehab may also offer that extra nudge they need to enter rehab.
What Should You Know About Couples Rehab Programs?
Ever wondered how couples’ rehab centers work? Most rehab programs for couples are designed after a treatment approach known as behavioral couples’ therapy or a variant called integrated behavioral couples therapy.
It also means learning how to use the high-quality time together that doesn’t revolve around drinking or drugs and planning recreational and leisure events that the couple might have abandoned because of strained relationships or uncomfortable moments brought about by their substance abuse.
Treatment can last from 30 days to 90 days of rehab or even longer, depending on the individuals and the program, but couples can expect to join between 12 and 20 outpatient sessions over a three-to-six month period during BCT.
While the study has shown that couples-based therapy results in greater abstinence, happier relationships, and fewer separations than individual treatment, most of those studies have concentrated on relationships where only one partner has a drug or alcohol addiction Fewer studies have addressed the efficiency of BCT in couples where both partners are suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction.
What Steps Should Be Taken To Recover Quickly From Drug Addiction?
It is also very significant that while finding a quality rehabilitation program; several aspects need to be in place both during the active treatment stage and after both people return home.
These include the following:
- Each person must put their moderation first.
- Both must reach out to others outside the connection for support through 12-step meetings, in addition to helping each other.
- Both should take part in individual and couples counseling to identify dynamics that no longer suit the relationship moving forward.
- Both should admit that recovering as a couple will be a journey that takes flexibility on the part of each individual.
- Both should look for the help of books or DVDs that may help in the recovery process.
- Each person should show respect for the other as well as an unwavering commitment to the relationship.
You identify how important it is for you both to go to couple’s rehab if drugs and alcohol are the only things that you both enjoy doing together. You have run out of interests and fun activities to do that do not involve getting high. Domestic violence is also a reason when you are addicted as you lose your inhibitions so you will act before you think. This can mean saying unkind things to someone that you would not say if you were sober or physical attack. Perhaps being high together is the only way that you think you two can be friendly towards each other. You could be ignoring your children or cleaning the house as a result of your drug use. If all of these causes are happening to you both, this should be all the impetus you need to go to couples rehab program.
Should Couples Enter A Rehab Program Together?
Whether a couple can attend rehab together will all depend. There are some dwellings where you can attend the same facility but not stay in the same room if you have a record of domestic violence or if one of you has medical or psychological issues that require more attention. It may also be lethal to live in the same facility if one spouse feels like the other is doing superior to you. This can lead to anger and feeling like a failure. You together may have to stay at a play for 30 days to nine months with 12-20 outpatient schedules over three to six months. You can attend several sessions together weekly and be able to visit each other. The only way the two of you will be able to join rehab together is if you both want to get recovered and are willing to support each other along the way.
Couples rehab first starts where you experience a medical detox separately before starting counseling. There are many different kinds of treatment like behavioral couples therapy. This is when both people in the connection make a recovery contract to stay away from drugs and alcohol and to support each other in their recovery. The pair sees a therapist once or twice a week to talk about their goals and develop new coping abilities. There is a medical supported treatment that uses medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone to help their withdrawal indications and be under maintenance when the detox period is finished. 12 step meetings are also suggested so that you both can learn to submit to a higher power and follow the 12 steps towards recovery with the help of a supporter.
What Kind of Problems You Will Get Over During Treatment?
Many problems revolving around your relationship with each other will be addressed during therapy that will make your bond with each other stronger. You could be going over matters that you have with fights that revolve around money, not being home enough, or ignoring to fulfil your responsibilities. It might also be about not covering up for your partner anymore and learning to look after yourself. Therapy can also show you how to let people in your life back in that you avoided because of the time consumed getting high or drunk. You will also learn how to contract with your problems without getting violent. It can mean learning to use your arguments to solve differences or leaving the room when you feel like getting violent.
A therapist can also teach you how to find moderate activities for the two of you to do together to better connect. It can mean going on movie dates, festivals, a show, eating out, cooking, etc. Motivation is the key to a fruitful recovery. It would be supportive for both of you to make a list of all of the reasons why it is important to attain sobriety. Those aims can be to keep your career, manage your funds, be good parents to your children, and being a good partner to the one you love. Couples therapy will only work if the two of you act like a group where you promise to help each other develop healthy habits and discover love in each other that you used to have before. If you believe that a couples rehab program may be beneficial to you contact our hotline now.