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Addiction does not just harm the person abusing drugs or alcohol, but often ends up hurting the people around them as well. When certain addictive behaviors have become commonplace within a romantic relationship, one or both partners can cause significant harm to themselves and their loved one.
For couples who are struggling with addiction, participating in behavioral couples therapy for alcoholism and drug abuse can be life-changing. Keep reading to learn more about this and other couples-based alcoholism treatment and drug rehab services.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, the Rehabs Of Armerica team can connect you with treatment options that can serve all of your care needs with just one phone call.
Drug or alcohol addiction can have a devastating impact on a relationship. If your relationship is being affected by increased problematic substance use, you may start to notice several ways in which this behavior has impacted your relationship, including:
Addiction does not just harm romantic relationships. When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, their abusive habits can be devastating to everyone around them, including their families.
It can lead to financial problems, emotional distress, and even physical violence. Children of addicts are at an increased risk of developing their own addiction problems, and they may also experience feelings of abandonment, anger, and resentment.
Other ways that addiction can impact families include:
Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) is a type of therapy that helps couples improve their communication, reduce conflict, and increase intimacy. It is based on the idea that couples’ problems are often caused by negative communication patterns and that by changing these patterns, couples can improve their relationship.
This form of behavior therapy can teach couples how to communicate more effectively, how to resolve conflict in a constructive way, and how to increase positive interactions. They also help couples to identify and change any negative patterns that may be contributing to their problems.
BCT is a short-term therapy that typically lasts for 12-20 weeks. It has been shown to be effective in reducing relationship distress and improving constructive communication and intimacy in couples. This includes relationships in which both partners abuse drugs or alcohol.
Whether participating in behavioral marital therapy, behavioral family counseling, or behavioral couples counseling, this form of mental health treatment will often use several techniques to improve relationship satisfaction. A typical session may use techniques like:
Therapists teach couples how to communicate more effectively by listening actively, expressing their feelings in a clear and direct way, and using “I” statements.
Therapists teach intimate partners how to resolve conflict in a constructive way by brainstorming solutions, negotiating, and compromising.
Therapists help couples to identify and increase positive interactions, such as spending time together, giving compliments, and doing favors for each other. This may also include finding ways to reward abstinence and increase positive feelings in sobriety.
This is a type of therapy that helps people to accept their thoughts and feelings, and to commit to living a meaningful life. BCT therapists may use these techniques to help couples to accept their differences and to commit to working on their relationship.
BCT is a well-researched and effective therapy for couples and as a part of spouse-involved alcohol treatment. If you are struggling from addiction in your relationship, BCT may be a helpful option for you.
There are several studies and randomized clinical trials showing that behavioral couples therapy for drug abusing patients is an effective treatment modality. In particular, clinical efficacy is prevalent in lowering partner violence as a result of alcoholism through the use of behavioral therapy.
The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology has several studies that show that violence between cohabiting male alcoholic patients and female substance-abusing patients significantly decreased after a year of behavioral couples therapy, and almost completely disappeared with abstinence.
Another randomized clinical trial found that when considered alongside a comparison group that did not receive this treatment, marital and family therapy was effective for helping both female and male methadone maintenance patients combat their addictive behavior.
While more research is required on the benefit-to-cost ratio, cost outcomes analysis, and the difference between female and male substance-abusing patients’ responses to treatment, the evidence so far appears to be in favor of using behavioral treatments for managing addiction in intimate relationships.
Drug and alcohol abuse can be a difficult topic to talk about, but it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms if you suspect your partner may be struggling with an addiction. Some of the most common signs of drug and alcohol abuse include:
If you are concerned that your partner may be abusing drugs or alcohol, it’s important to talk to them about it. It can be a difficult conversation, but it’s important to be honest and supportive. You can also offer to help them get treatment.
There are many resources available, including but not limited to behavioral couples therapy, to help people who are struggling with addiction, and it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.
If you or your spouse is struggling with addiction, it is important to seek help. There are many treatment options available, including inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, support groups, and couples therapy.
Couples therapy can help you and your spouse understand the addiction and its impact on your relationship. It can also teach you how to communicate better and how to support each other through recovery.
If you are considering couples therapy, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it is important to find a therapist who is experienced in treating addiction and couples therapy. Second, be sure to choose a therapist who you and your spouse feel comfortable with.
If both you and your spouse are struggling with addiction, consider making a recovery contract. This will be a set of terms defining your recovery goals and treatment involvement, and can help keep you on track with your sobriety.
Behavioral couples counseling is a form of psychoeducational attention control treatment, meaning that it takes into consideration the psychological causes of yours and your partner’s addictive and other negative habits.
By participating in this form of treatment, you can improve communication, helping to deal with the challenges of addiction and the negative emotions that come with it. It can also help you to increase trust within your partnership, which is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship.
Couples counseling can also enhance intimacy, allowing you and your partner to reconnect and develop a deeper level of intimacy. Finally, this treatment method can help reduce stress, allowing both of you to focus on your addiction recovery process.
There are many different addiction treatment methods available in addition to behavioral couples therapy, and the best approach for an individual will vary depending on their specific needs and circumstances. Some common treatment methods include:
The most important thing is to find a treatment that works for you and that you are willing to commit to. Addiction is a chronic disease, but it is treatable. With the right treatment, you can recover and live a sober life.
While those in a relationship will often want to support his or her partner, doing so may not always be the healthiest choice for their own well-being. If you are in a relationship where both you and your partner are struggling with drinking or drug use, couples rehab may not be the best choice.
In many cases, in relationships where both the person and their partner are struggling with an addiction, these individuals often trigger and fuel each other’s abusive habits. In order to effectively overcome their emotional and behavioral problems, individual-based treatment may be best.
While it is normal and even honorable to want to prioritize your partner’s well-being, doing so will only hurt you and cause resentment in the long-term. You cannot help anyone if you do not first help yourself.
This is why it is so important that you first focus on overcoming your own substance use and establishing a solid foundation for your sobriety before seeking out couples addiction treatment services.
While it is normal to want to include and support your partner in the addiction recovery process, this might not always be the best decision. In some cases, a relationship adjustment may not be possible without both individuals doing their own separate healing first.
There are several signs that can indicate that your primary treatment should include individual-based therapy. For starters, if you or your partner’s addiction has led to intimate violence within the relationship, having them present during your recovery can be triggering and intimidating.
This violence does not just have to be physical. Any sort of emotional or domestic abuse can make you feel isolated, fearful, and depressed; all of which are not conducive to your healing. In these cases, it is best to recover from the impacts of addiction while separated from your partner.
Another indicator that it may be better to seek independent treatment is if you and your partner enable each other’s addictive behaviors. If a core element of the relationship is abusing drugs and alcohol together, attempting to seek treatment with them present can be triggering and increase your risk of relapse.
No matter what kind of treatment you decide to participate in and who you choose to allow on this journey, the only person who can decide that you deserve a better life is you. If you are ready to begin your recovery journey, the Rehabs Of Armerica team is here to help.
If you are in a relationship that is being affected by substance abuse and are ready to start your treatment process, the Rehabs Of Armerica team is here to help. Our hotline is available 24/7 to connect you with recovery options and resources, anytime.
We work with an extensive network of couples rehab programs nationwide, so that we can find a treatment center in a location that is right for you. The path to sobriety is just one phone call away. So call now to get started today!
While behavioral therapies can be an effective means of treating addiction, it is by no means a one-size-fits-all solution. Many people will need to participate in various different treatment methods and programs in order to properly address all aspects of their addiction.
In most cases, you cannot force your partner to go to rehab. In the United States, adults have the right to make their own decisions about their health care, including whether or not to seek treatment for substance abuse.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if your partner is a danger to themselves or others, you may be able to have them involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. Additionally, some states have laws that allow family members to petition the court to have a loved one involuntarily committed to a substance abuse treatment program.
There is no set duration for how long it will take for you and your partner to complete couples-based therapy. The amount of time you will spend receiving treatment will vary depending on the severity of your and your partner’s drug-using behavior and relationship dysfunction.
Generally, couples can spend anywhere from weeks, months, to even years in treatment. Married or cohabiting couples will often have more extensive relationship problems to work on, while couples who live separately may only require a brief relationship therapy experience.
Anna M. joined Find Addiction Rehabs with extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment. As a former Nurse Practitioner in Miami, she found her passion for addiction treatment when a family member was lost to his disease. With each article and resource, she hopes to save other families from experiencing the anguish of a loved one’s passing due to drinking or drugs.
