Addiction can be hazardous for everyone, but more so for a couple. If a couple is in addiction, it can lead to relationship problems. In fact, if a pregnant mother has an addiction along with the father, the child may face issues too.
The sad part is that despite all the problems, many couples are in addiction, and the number of pregnant women with a history of substance abuse has increased. For instance, if we consider the example of Oklahoma state, a recent survey reveals that the number of pregnant women with a history of substance abuse has increased by four times.
Addiction treatment can be incredibly beneficial when you and your loved one are both in recovery. Still, it can also be hazardous if you don't know what to look for in a couple's addiction treatment program. That's why we're here.
What Is Couples Addiction Treatment?
Couples addiction treatment is a treatment option for couples struggling with addiction. According to Find Addiction Rehabs, these programs specialize in treating individuals or couples in a romantic relationship whose addiction is causing problems.
This treatment can be a good option for couples who want to stay together but struggle with addiction, as it allows them to learn how to manage their recovery together. Couples therapy may also help you strengthen your relationship and improve communication skills, making it easier for both partners to get sober or clean. Data shows that couples therapy positively impacts at least 70% of treatment recipients.
How to Find the Right Couples Addiction Treatment Center
There are several things to consider when looking for a couples addiction treatment center. The first thing you want to consider in a treatment center is whether they accept couples. Hence, when searching for a firm, clarify that you are looking for treatment centers that accept spouses and partners together. Otherwise, it will be a waste of time.
You also want to ensure that an organization with a strong track record of success accredits your treatment center. This will help you determine if they offer evidence-based treatments and have a proven track record of success. You can also do this by going through a center's website or asking any friend or family member who has taken treatment from that center.
Another critical factor is whether or not they offer individualized treatment plans based on each client's needs and circumstances. Some couples may need more therapy sessions than others; some may require different kinds of therapy altogether.
Other considerations include cost and location. Areas with high rates of substance abuse tend to have more options available locally than those without this problem. For example, considering the Oklahoma (OK) example given below, it will be easy to locate a treatment center there. All you will have to do is a Google search or simply put out the word that you are seeking a couples treatment setting in the OK state within your network.
5 Concrete Benefits of Couples Addiction Treatment
The benefits of couples' addiction treatment are many. For one thing, it's a great way to address the issues that can come up in a relationship. The therapist can help you identify problems and work on solutions together as a couple.
Here are five of the common, recognized benefits of couples addiction treatment:
Enhanced Communication and Emotional Connection
One of the most significant benefits of couples addiction treatment is that it can help you and your partner improve communication and emotional connection. This is because couples therapy teaches you how to talk about your feelings, understand each other's feelings and resolve conflicts while avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs.
As a result, when you come home from work every day, instead of feeling like an outsider in your relationship, you'll feel more connected than ever before. This will help resolve any conflicts in the relationship and ensure it stays for the long term.
Mutual Support and Accountability
A critical aspect of recovery is the support and accountability you receive from your partner. Having a strong relationship can help you stay sober, but it's important that both people in the relationship are on board with sobriety. You should be able to count on each other for encouragement and guidance as you work toward your goals together. This will only happen if both partners are willing to work hard to recover.
Mutual support is key because it allows each person in the relationship to feel understood by their partner. It also helps them share their experiences and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism from one another. Mutual respect is essential when trying new strategies for managing addiction. It is also necessary for many couples to be able to move forward together.
Identifying and Addressing Codependency
Codependency is a term used to describe a relationship in which one person supports or enables another person's addiction or unhealthy behavior. Codependency can be a symptom of trauma, but it can also be a form of coping for the codependent person. In couples counseling, both partners must understand their codependent behaviors to begin working together on healthier ways of interacting.
In many cases, one partner will have more symptoms than the other. For example, they may struggle with drinking more often than the other partner, use drugs more, or be diagnosed with ADHD while the other person doesn't have any diagnosable conditions.
The offspring, too, can be at risk of developing ADHD or other brain development issues. And this is not only the case with addiction or heavy alcohol use. Even a small amount of alcohol can lead to such problems. A study published in the Science Daily journal shows that even low-level alcohol consumption during pregnancy can significantly impact the offspring's brain development.
Building Relapse Prevention Strategies as a Team
In couples addiction treatment, you and your partner will learn how to identify the issues that contributed to your addiction. You can then address those issues together as a team. This process will help you develop relapse prevention strategies tailored to your needs.
You'll also be able to support each other during difficult times by building on the new skill sets developed during couples therapy sessions. For example, suppose one person struggles with recovery and feels tempted by old triggers. In that case, the other person can remind them of their goals and encourage them not to succumb to temptation just yet!
You should know about common triggers 1https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/relapse-prevention that lead to relapse, like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and fatigue. There are three stages of relapse, namely, emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse. As the triggers get worse, the condition can deteriorate your health quickly.
Fostering Long-Term Recovery and Continued Growth
Addiction is also a learning disorder that affects how you think and behave, and those patterns can be difficult to break without help.
The goal of couples' addiction treatment isn't just to stop using drugs. It's also about changing your behavior to live a healthy, productive life in recovery. For example:
- You might learn how to manage stress instead of turning to drugs or alcohol as an escape from feeling overwhelmed.
- You'll develop new skills for managing conflict without resorting to violence or verbal abuse.
Reaching Out for Recovery Support as a Couple
We're not saying you should rush into a romantic relationship with someone with an addiction problem. If you have found yourself in this situation, and many people have, there is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed.
If anything, you should embrace the opportunity to learn how to build a healthy relationship that can withstand the pressures of addiction.
And if you are already involved in an intimate relationship and you are both drinking or using drugs in problematic ways, help can be found! Using Find Addiction Rehabs can provide options nationwide within minutes for you and your loved one, and they are experienced and proven sources for couples addiction treatment programs.
We hope this posting has helped you see the light at the end of what can be a dark tunnel for couples using drugs or abusing alcohol together, and remember to stay tuned to healthsoothe.com for more great blogs and topics covered daily!
Additional resources and citations
- 1https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/relapse-prevention