For many couples, substance use and even substance abuse becomes part of the fabric of their relationship.
It’s quite common for a couple who uses drugs and/or alcohol to use these substances when they are together, whether it’s for relaxation, socialization, or stress relief.
But, as alcohol and drug abuse has become more prevalent in our society, it’s not surprising that more and more couples are beginning to wonder if their enjoyment with these substances has gone from something that they could control to something that is possibly out of their control.
It’s at this point many couples may begin to wonder if a substance abuse treatment program would be ideal for them.
And, even better, can they choose to seek treatment for their alcohol or drug abuse together?
Couples Rehab: Is it Right for Us?
The idea of going to a couples drug rehab or alcohol rehab facility with your partner is a relatively new concept.
Though it’s quite common for a couple to both have a substance abuse problem, it has historically been not considered wise for both members of the couple to try and seek treatment together, at the same facility.
Regardless of whether it’s outpatient treatment or inpatient treatment, experts have encouraged couples to seek their own treatment for their substance abuse issues as individuals, not as partners.
But in recent years, this mindset has begun to shift.
One driving reason for this is the fact that – if a couple is truly committed to substance abuse treatment – there is a good chance they may see better, more long-term results if both partners are in the process together.
Deciding to start any sort of drug addiction or alcohol addiction program can feel intimidating and overwhelming for someone.
Sometimes the only way that person is going to fully commit to addiction treatment is if they can commit with another person, particularly the person they are in love with.
Offering a couple the opportunity to go to couples rehab together may be just the enticement they need to take that first step and find the right treatment center and alcohol or drug rehab program that is going to work best for them.
On the other hand, there are still many professionals that believe a substance abuse issue is highly individualistic and that it is best for each person to find their own alcohol or drug addiction program instead of doing it with their partner.
There is a fear that couples rehab can actually keep a couple from fully addressing their own issues and diving into the roots of their addiction.
So which is right for you and your partner? Can a couples rehab treatment center work for both of you?
Or are you better off going through individual treatment on your own?
The answer is…it will depend. Though there are a number of positive reasons why a couples rehab program may be a successful option for you and your partner, there are also some potential negatives as well.
Let’s look more closely at the pros and cons of couples rehab so you and your partner can decide if this type of treatment is going to be best for both of you.
Pros of Couples Rehab
As more substance abuse treatment centers are able and willing to treat couples as well as individuals, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that this can be an excellent option for many couples who both want to start the recovery process from drugs or alcohol at the same time.
Here are some of the most significant pros to a couples rehab program that may very well result in both you and your significant other being able to successfully start on the recovery process together.
A Sense of Togetherness
It’s as the saying goes, “The couple that plays together, stays together.”
Going through a treatment program with your partner can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your relationship.
Any good addiction treatment program will focus on a variety of therapy sessions, from individual therapy to behavioral couples therapy as well.
Oftentimes, behavioral couples therapy will play a huge role in helping both people become honest with themselves about their past and will insist on a level of vulnerability that they probably haven’t yet experienced.
Honesty and vulnerability are both important aspects of any relationship and without them, a relationship will undoubtedly struggle.
For the couple that has dealt with a substantial amount of drug and/or alcohol abuse, honesty and vulnerability may have been two of the very first aspects of their relationship to be lost.
By deciding to go into an addiction treatment program together, a couple is re-committing to each other and choosing honesty and vulnerability over drugs or alcohol.
There are few things that can prove to be more powerful than that.
A couples drug rehab or alcohol rehab program can give a couple the level of closeness and togetherness they may have not experienced in years.
Or perhaps haven’t ever experienced it at all.
Honesty and vulnerability are the bedrock of a solid relationship. A good couples rehab program can help two people rediscover what they once had, and what they want again.
A Sense of Accountability
Along with the sense of togetherness that a couples rehab program can provide is also the sense of accountability it allows as well.
Research has shown that we are more likely to complete a task when we feel as though others are counting on us to do so.
Whether it’s an exercise regimen, a weight loss program, or a project at home or at work, most people find they are more likely to succeed when they know that someone else is expecting them to.
There is also a strong sense of camaraderie when two or more people are holding each other accountable to complete a set goal or program.
Many couples find that one of the best advantages that a couples drug rehab or alcohol rehab center can offer them is the fact that they are doing something together and holding each other accountable for their collective recovery process.
A Sense of Safety
Yet another huge perk to couples rehab is the sense of safety it provides both individuals as they begin their recovery path and start their life of substance-free living.
Getting sober is scary. So, too, is the idea of a treatment program.
In fact, studies show that the majority of individuals and couples who attempt to get and stay sober without some sort of treatment program will have a much higher chance of relapse than those who successfully complete an outpatient or inpatient rehab program.
Not only that, but it is also estimated that a person’s chances of maintaining sobriety after treatment increase significantly, particularly if they continue to seek outpatient treatment, stay involved in individual and group therapy, and have a support network of professionals able to help them when they need it.
Despite all these facts, the idea of substance abuse treatment centers is still a daunting one for many people.
Being able to go to rehab together can oftentimes be the final push a person needs to finally get the addiction treatment they need.
Cons of Couples Rehab
Just as there are many reasons why couples rehab may work for you and your partner, there are also some potential cons that may make a couples addiction treatment program less viable for you…or may even make your situation worse.
A Potential for Problematic Behavior
There is no doubt that a couples alcohol or drug rehab program will not work for you if there is any form of physical or emotional abuse at play in your relationship.
For a couple that is experiencing this sort of behavior, most therapists will find it nearly impossible to use traditional therapy sessions to do the work necessary to help the couple deal with their substance abuse issues together.
In a situation where domestic violence has been prevalent, it may be best for both members of the relationship to seek individual rehab first, before they decide to work on their recovery process together.
Not only that, but it is also highly recommended that the person who is engaging in the physical or emotionally abuse behavior seek professional treatment for their abusive behaviors. And, if the physical or emotional behavior isn’t just limited to only one partner, then both people will need to work through this before addiction therapy is going to be helpful.
A Potential for Relapse
Another potential red flag for a couple who is considering seeking couples therapy is whether or not they are engaged in a relationship dynamic that may actually increase their chances for relapse.
Many couples who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction find themselves in a codependent relationship with each other.
Codependency is defined as one person in a relationship constantly putting the other person’s needs before their own, while the other person in the relationship thrives on that behavior.
Though caring for each other is an important part of any healthy relationship, too much caring for another person can limit someone’s personal growth and recovery.
A good behavioral couples therapy program can identify where there may be issues of codependency in a relationship and help a couple work through them.
But if codependency is not addressed, it can lead to one or the other partners having a higher chance for relapse than they might otherwise have had if they had chosen to go to rehab as individuals instead.
A Concern for Finances
Another reason why enrolling in a couples treatment program may be a con for a couple is that they may not be in a financial position to do so.
Even with good insurance, many treatment centers will still expect for you to cover some of the expenses on your own.
Not only that, but if a couple decides to enter into treatment together, they may need to work out things such as taking time off work, child care needs, and hiring help for chores around the home while they are not able to complete them.
If a couple decides to enter into treatment separately, some of the financial burden may be lessened, since they could both decide to go to treatment at different times.
But choosing to go together could greatly impact their financial situation and potentially cause more stress and strain during the recovery process than the couple can handle.
Couples Rehab: Making the Right Choice for You
Deciding to enter into a substance abuse treatment program is a big decision for anyone, especially a couple who is considering doing it together.
At The House of the Rising Son addiction treatment center, we know the decisions you are making are not easy ones. We also know that every relationship is different and there are unique variables that each couple must consider when making their decision.
If you would like help as you navigate through the various treatment options that are available to you, please give us a call today.
The medical professionals and mental health experts at our facility can answer any questions you may have and help you to ask the right ones for your specific situation.
Making the decision to live a life free of substance abuse is a brave one.
Let us walk with you on your path toward a life free of addiction and full of peace.
