Anyone struggling with addiction knows the toll it can take on a relationship.
But when both partners are struggling with a substance abuse issue like an alcohol or drug addiction, it can be particularly difficult to overcome.
A couples rehab program is one where treatment is designed to help both people in a relationship recover from their substance abuse disorder while also caring for and rebuilding their relationship.
By striving to provide a safe and supportive environment, a couples inpatient rehab can allow for both partners to focus on their recovery while working together to strengthen the areas of their relationship that have been damaged due to alcohol or drug abuse.
Regardless of what type of substance abuse that you both are struggling with, there are huge benefits to considering a couples inpatient rehab program and finding out how it can help save your relationships, not just with each other but with other loved ones as well.
What are the Real Benefits of a Couples Inpatient Treatment Program?
A couples inpatient rehab program can offer a range of benefits for any couple who is struggling with addiction regardless of their marital status or living situation.
1. Provides a Safe Living Space Where the Couple Can Live Together
One of the key benefits to this type of substance abuse treatment program is the fact that most inpatient programs will allow two people to be able to recover together in a safe and supportive environment that can often emulate their living situation at home.
For many couples who are struggling with a substance use disorder, a living situation can oftentimes be a difficult place to work on their alcohol or drug addiction recovery.
If your alcohol or drug abuse was often the most active in your home, then it may be near impossible to avoid your drug or alcohol use while there.
But having a place where you can go to work on your substance abuse disorder that is safe and free from drugs or alcohol – while also feeling like home – can be a great opportunity to deal with some of your behaviors and begin to see how to manage your life without the use of substances.
While in an inpatient alcohol and drug rehab treatment program, a couple will be able to live away from the triggers and temptations that may otherwise hinder their recovery.
Additionally, an inpatient drug rehab for couples provides a unique opportunity for partners to work together in their recovery journey, building mutual trust and support along the way.
An alcohol or drug abuse addiction will rob many couples of their relationship well before they even realize it.
Whether this is the romantic relationship side that no longer exists or even the platonic friendship part, it’s almost impossible to have a truly connected, healthy relationship with someone when there is a drug or alcohol addiction involved.
In order for a couple to begin to discover how to repair the broken pieces of their relationship, most inpatient rehab programs typically offer a range of services, including individual and group therapy, medical assisted treatment and psychiatric care, and even family therapy sessions later during your stay.
By addressing both individual and relationship issues, an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab facility can help couples achieve healthier relationships while also helping them start down the road to recovery from their substance abuse disorder.
Addiction is a complex disease that affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. From children who may be involved to extended family members like siblings and parents, any person who is struggling with an addiction has family members who are consequently struggling with it as well.
Therefore, it stands to reason that when two people who are in a relationship are both struggling with addiction, it can be particularly challenging for everyone involved.
It is also more likely that the couple has struggled with the addiction for a longer period of time, since there has been less accountability on either person’s part.
Couples inpatient alcohol and drug rehab provides a unique opportunity for partners to support each other in their recovery journey, while also rebuilding trust for themselves and each other as well as rebuilding trust that was lost with their loved ones.
With numerous opportunities for behavioral couples therapy and group therapy sessions, partners will begin to learn healthy communications skills and develop strategies for coping with the different stressors and triggers in their lives.
Many inpatient drug and alcohol rehab treatment centers also have opportunities for families to be involved as well.
Through family therapy sessions or outside support resources, members of the couple’s family can begin to get the help they need with communication and setting boundaries all while the couple is still seeking treatment.
By working together as a team (and with a team of highly trained medical and mental health professionals) a couple and their families can begin to discover the building blocks toward achieving long-term recovery and rebuilding the relationships that are most important to them.
How Do We Prepare Our Relationships Inpatient Rehab?
Preparing your relationship before you determine it’s time to go to rehab is going to require several steps…some of these steps are personal, some of them are professional, and some of them are focused on your family.
Preparing Yourself
Once you and your partner have committed to going to rehab, the first step is going to be to find the right substance abuse treatment center for the two of you.
Most people begin their recovery journey by researching “couples inpatient rehab near me” but try not to limit yourself solely to programs that are in your area.
Even if you need to travel or relocate for a short period of time, it’s important to consider factors such as the alcohol and drug rehab program’s approach to addiction treatment, the qualifications of the staff, the mental health services administration available and even what type of amenities are offered.
You may also want to inquire as to whether or not the couples rehab facility allows pets (many do), visitation from family and/or friends and if they are equipped to deal with the specific details and challenges of both yours and your partner’s addictions.
Asking as to whether or not they have an outpatient program for continued recovery after your stay may be helpful as well.
Once you’ve found the right addiction treatment facility for both of you, it’s important to prepare mentally and emotionally for the experience.
This may involve talking to your partner about the expectations both of you have, setting realistic goals that won’t be impossible to meet, and making sure you both understand that substance abuse recovery is a process that will take time and effort.
Finally, it’s important that both of you have fully committed to the process of recovery and are open to learning new skills and strategies for building a new and better relationship that you have ever had when drug and alcohol abuse was running your life.
Preparing Your Professional Relationships
Telling your boss and coworkers that you’re going to an alcohol and/or drug rehab program can be a difficult and anxiety-provoking experience. Not only do most people who decide to seek treatment feel a strong sense of guilt and shame, there may also be concerns around the stability of your job and whether or not you will be welcomed back upon your return.
Despite the obvious and understandable concerns, it’s important to be honest and upfront about your situation in order to maintain your professional reputation and ensure that you receive the support you need.
Before having the conversation, you may also want to spend some time reviewing your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as they pertain to substance abuse treatment and make sure you are fully up-to-date on any applicable company policies regarding leave and accommodations for medical treatment.
When it comes to breaking the news to your boss and coworkers, work hard to be as clear, concise, and professional as possible. Schedule a private meeting with your boss or immediate supervisors and let them know that you will be taking a leave of absence for medical treatment.
Depending on your relationship with your boss and/or the overall company culture, it may be best to only provide them with a general idea of the timeline and the type of treatment you’ll be receiving. What you are doing and where you are going is not information that is required to be shared with anyone in a professional setting.
That said, it will also behoove you to reassure your boss and any teammates that you work with directly that you are committed to your job and responsibilities, and that you will do everything you can to ensure a smooth transition while you’re away as well as upon your return.
You may want to consider telling a single trusted colleague who can help keep things running smoothly while you’re away, but it’s important to make sure that – above all else – you are protecting your own recovery process and not doing anything to jeopardize it.
Be careful to choose a colleague who knows the seriousness of your substance abuse situation and can maintain confidentiality and respect your privacy while you are away.
Finally, it’s important to follow up with your boss and coworkers throughout your treatment to keep them updated and ensure a smooth transition back to work.
Clearly, if both you and your partner are employed, you will both be met with the challenge of deciding how to tell your boss and coworkers about your decision to seek inpatient addiction treatment. But, if you follow the guidelines above, you both should find yourself in a good place professionally when you leave as well as upon your return.
Preparing Your Family Relationships
Telling your family and friends that you’re going to rehab can be just as emotional and difficult as telling your coworkers and boss, but it’s another important step in your recovery journey. As with your professional relationships, it is up to you and your partner to decide how much information you want to give different people and when.
Some couples may need to talk through this together beforehand.
Others may seek the help of an experienced therapist or health care provider to direct them in the best way to share their decision with their loved ones and what it means for each person involved.
When you have decided who you want to share your decision with, the first step is to choose the right time and place to have the conversation. It’s important to find a time when the right people are available, and you can have the conversation without interruptions or distractions.
During this conversation, make sure that you and your partner are being as honest and open about your struggles with addiction as possible.
Let your family and friends know that you’ve both made the hard decision to seek help, and that you’re both committed to your recovery.
Make sure that you both spend some time emphasizing to your loved ones that your decision to go to an addiction treatment facility is by no means a reflection of their love or support for you, but rather a necessary step in your recovery journey.
It’s also important to let your family and friends know what they can expect while you’re in couples rehab. You may want to share some of the details of your treatment program, including the length of your stay, the types of therapies you’ll be receiving, and what you hope to gain from the experience.You can also reassure them that you appreciate all of their support and you look forward to their phone calls, emails, letters and/or visits, depending on what is appropriate or allowed at your addiction treatment facility of choice.
If you or your partner feel as though these conversations are going to be met with resistance or more questions than you are comfortable answering, you may want to consider having a therapist or mental health expert present during these talks.
Having another person who is skilled in substance abuse treatment programs and the process may help reassure your loved ones that you are doing the right thing and that your path to recovery will be worth your short term absence.
Are You Ready to Heal Yourself and Your Relationships? Give Us a Call Today
Couples inpatient rehab can be a powerful tool for couples struggling with addiction, especially when both people are committed to changing their life, and they see the value it will bring to their relationships as well.
By providing a safe and supportive environment, couples inpatient rehab allows partners to focus on their recovery while working together to strengthen their bond.
It will also allow both of you to learn the tools needed to repair the bonds with others that have been damaged because of your substance addiction.
At The House of the Rising Son we are prepared to help both of you begin this journey today.
From residential housing that allows you to live together to a whole host of therapy options and physical activities, The House of the Rising Son is a place where both of you can begin to build toward a healthier future together.
We can also give you suggestions for ongoing outpatient treatment once your time with us is over, as well as help you find behavioral couples therapy experts who can continue the work you’ve done while in couples rehab with us long after you’ve returned home.
Stop waiting to find the right time to take your life back from the drug and alcohol addiction that has been holding you hostage for far too long.
Give us a call today.
