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Rehab Couples

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Rehab for Couples: Find Sobriety Together in a Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Couples

Drug and alcohol addiction are serious diseases and can be particularly damaging when both members of a couple suffer from them. Often, drug and alcohol misuse becomes a fundamental component of these relationships, making it much harder for both members of the couple to escape the chains of addiction. Luckily, a comprehensive couples rehab program can help.

There is hope!

Download our free Addiction Recovery Guide for Families and learn about addiction, how it’s treated, and how to heal for a more meaningful life.

Introduction to Rehab

Rehabilitation, or rehab, is a type of treatment program designed to help individuals overcome addiction and achieve long-term sobriety. For couples struggling with substance abuse, rehab can be a valuable resource in overcoming addiction and strengthening their relationship. Couples rehab programs provide a supportive environment where both partners can recover together, addressing the unique challenges that arise when both members of a couple are struggling with addiction. By attending rehab together, couples can learn how to communicate effectively, manage conflicts, and develop healthy coping mechanisms to support each other’s recovery. This can be especially beneficial for couples who are equally committed to recovery and willing to work together to overcome their addiction.

Understanding Addiction

Addiction is a complex disease that affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. It is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior, despite the negative consequences it may have on a person’s life. Substance abuse can lead to a range of problems, including relationship issues, mental health conditions, and physical health problems. Understanding the root causes of addiction, such as trauma, mental health issues, or environmental factors, is crucial in developing an effective treatment plan. By addressing these underlying issues, couples can work together to overcome their addiction and build a stronger, healthier relationship. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides valuable resources and information on addiction treatment, including couples rehab programs.

Benefit of Rehab for Couples

Couples drug and alcohol rehab provides a unique healing opportunity for both partners. You and your partner can support and motivate each other, learn valuable relapse prevention skills, and build an aftercare plan together.

The biggest benefits of alcohol and drug rehab for couples include:

  • A unified approach – Couples learn the same techniques and strategies and, therefore, have the same knowledge base. They can learn each other’s triggers, underlying causes of addiction, and relapse prevention needs. Most importantly, they can come up with relapse prevention strategies and then act on them in concert for their mutual benefit.
  • Family healing – When couples struggle with substance use disorders, other family members are almost always impacted, especially if the pair have children. Rehab for couples typically benefits these family members twice as powerfully as if a single member attended rehab. The family healing benefits of couples rehab are generally the strongest for the couple’s children.
  • Mutual communication – The open and honest communication facilitated by rehab not only helps both parties overcome their substance use disorders and regain their sobriety, but it also dramatically improves the quality of their relationship. Such communication has also been shown to increase empathy, trust, and understanding between partners. By practicing active listening, couples can better express their concerns and feelings, which facilitates conflict resolution and fosters a healthier relationship.
  • Mutual support – Support is one of the most important aspects of substance misuse recovery. The ability to lean on a partner for extra emotional, mental, and physical support during rehab improves both the likelihood of success and the quality of the relationship. Many couples who attend rehab report a uniquely close and special bond.
  • Rebuilding trust – Addiction can cause tremendous damage in relationships. Drug and alcohol rehab for couples enables partners to address past grievances in a healthy and controlled manner, helping to rebuild trust. Also, the skills taught in couples rehab make it less likely that trust will be broken in the future.

How Couples Are Treated in Rehab

There are many treatment options available for couples, and it is important to find a treatment plan that works for both of you.

In general, couples in rehab are treated using the same techniques, therapies, and medications as anyone else in rehab. There may also be special therapies or training sessions specifically for couples.

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Valerie Puffenberger provides the following tips for couples seeking addiction treatment together:

  • Communicate openly and honestly about your addiction. It is important to be able to talk to your partner about your addiction and how it is affecting your relationship. Understanding body language can also play a crucial role in effective communication.
  • Set boundaries. It is important to set boundaries around your drug use and to respect your partner’s boundaries.
  • Be patient with each other. Recovery is not a linear process, and there will be ups and downs. Be patient with each other and support each other through the tough times.

The Couples Rehab Process

Generally, couples that attend rehab will go through a process somewhat like this:

  1. Couples detox – Medically supervised withdrawal detox is a process whereby treatment professionals provide medications and therapies to help patients get through withdrawal. The detox process helps reduce or eliminate unpleasant symptoms, making it more likely that patients complete withdrawal and enter treatment with a good mindset.
  2. Inpatient couples rehab – Inpatient rehab requires patients to live at a treatment facility where they are provided treatments and therapy. Inpatient rehab is considered the most successful way to achieve and maintain sobriety, but it is more expensive and more disruptive to patients’ lives than outpatient rehab.
  3. Outpatient couples rehab – Outpatient rehab is usually completed after inpatient rehab or instead of inpatient rehab. Outpatient rehab requires patients to live elsewhere and then attend treatment at a facility for several hours a day, several days a week. Outpatient rehab is less expensive than inpatient rehab and allows patients to maintain their personal, professional, and legal obligations, but it is less likely to result in long-term sobriety.
  4. Couples aftercare – After patients attend rehab, it is important that they participate in aftercare programs to maintain their sobriety for the long term. Aftercare will vary dramatically from patient to patient, but almost always includes attending support groups and continuing therapy.

Couples Rehab Therapies

There are many different types of therapy used in couples rehab. Some of the most common include:

  • Couples counseling – Couples counseling focuses on understanding and improving relationship dynamics and communication patterns and provides couples with guidance and training on how to handle challenges in a healthy manner.
  • Individual therapy – One-on-one therapy sessions provide each partner with the ability to address personal traumas, triggers, underlying causes of addiction, and mental health conditions.
  • Group therapy – Group therapy sessions (especially those with other couples) provide couples with community, shared experiences, advice, and support.
  • Group sessions – Group sessions offer a supportive environment where couples dealing with addiction can share their challenges and learn from each other’s experiences. These sessions foster mutual support, address emotional issues, and promote accountability among partners.
  • Behavioral Therapies – Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) provide the tools and skills necessary to cope with cravings and avoid relapse. Behavioral therapies also help couples deal with underlying causes of addiction such as environmental triggers and mental health issues.
  • Holistic and alternative therapies – There are a wide variety of holistic and alternative therapies, such as yoga, meditation, art, music, adventure, and animal therapies, that provide a wide variety of benefits to the couples that engage in them, from stress management to the promotion of overall well-being.

Inpatient and Outpatient Options


Couples have various options when it comes to rehab, including inpatient and outpatient programs. Inpatient rehab provides a residential setting where couples can live together while receiving intensive treatment and support. This option is ideal for couples who require a high level of care and support, especially in the early stages of recovery. Outpatient rehab, on the other hand, allows couples to attend treatment sessions while living at home. This option is suitable for couples who have a strong support system and are able to manage their daily responsibilities while attending treatment. Both inpatient and outpatient options offer group therapy sessions, individual counseling, and other treatment elements to support recovery.

Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention is a critical component of any rehab program. It involves developing strategies and techniques to avoid relapse and maintain sobriety. Couples can learn how to identify triggers, manage stress, and develop healthy coping mechanisms to support each other’s recovery. Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) is a highly effective approach in preventing relapse, as it focuses on improving communication skills, managing conflicts, and promoting mutual support. By attending rehab together, couples can learn how to regulate stress, manage emotional outbursts, and develop a stronger, more supportive relationship. This can be especially beneficial for couples who are struggling with relationship issues, such as domestic violence or legal conflicts.

Success Rates of Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Couples

Many factors determine whether a couple will find success with drug rehab, including:

  • The length and severity of their addictions
  • What substance use disorders they suffer from
  • Any co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Biologic and medical factors of each patient, such as age, gender, and weight
  • Any medical conditions
  • The policies and procedures of the treatment program
  • The legal, professional, personal, and financial status of each patient
  • The motivation and drive of each patient
  • The skill and training of the staff of the facility or program

Choosing the right treatment centers, which provide specialized support through group therapy and individual counseling, is crucial for relationship strengthening and shared recovery experiences.

Aftercare and Support

Aftercare and support are essential components of any rehab program. They provide couples with the ongoing support and guidance they need to maintain their sobriety and continue working on their relationship. Aftercare programs may include group support sessions, individual therapy, and other treatment elements to support long-term recovery. Couples can also benefit from attending support groups, such as Smart Recovery, to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. By staying connected with others in recovery, couples can maintain their motivation, avoid relapse, and continue to grow and strengthen their relationship. Additionally, many rehab centers offer luxury couples rehab programs that provide a range of amenities, including massage therapy, art therapy, and other holistic approaches to support recovery.

Find Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Couples

When addiction affects both members of a couple, it can seem like there is no escape. Luckily, nothing is further from the truth.

If you and a loved one are looking for rehab for couples, we’re here to help.

Legacy Healing Center is guided by the principle that the only way to heal you and your partner’s body, mind, and spirit is through a holistic approach to addiction treatment. We provide the clinical therapy, proper medication management, and aftercare patients need to regain their sobriety.

Our compassionate admissions team is available to assist you with inquiries about treatment options and programs, providing support and information about the admissions process.

Dedicated rehab staff members are waiting to take your call and answer your questions. Call 888-534-2295 to speak with a treatment staff member at Legacy Healing Center today.

Rehab for Couples FAQs

What is alcohol and drug rehab for couples?

Drug and alcohol rehab programs for couples treat the substance use disorders and drug addiction of both members of a couple. Rehab for couples can take many forms, but some of the most important and common include detox for couples, inpatient rehab for couples, outpatient drug and alcohol rehab for couples, and aftercare for couples.

The goal of rehab for couples is to help you and your partner get through withdrawal, achieve sobriety, and build the skills and training needed to prevent relapse in the long term.

How can I find free rehab for couples?

If you or your loved one are looking for free rehab for couples, there are several resources that you can use. Here are some of the most common and important:

  • Local religious organizations such as churches, synagogues, and mosques
  • Local governmental organizations, especially health, human services, and mental health organizations
  • Local charitable organizations

Rehab facilities offer specialized treatment programs designed to support both partners in their recovery journey, providing a safe space where couples can work together towards sobriety and rebuild their relationship.

It is important to remember that just because rehab may not be free, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t affordable or worth it. Quite the opposite is true. Rehab is significantly less expensive than the cost of addiction. Additionally, there are a wide variety of payment options available, ranging from scholarships to insurance. If you would like to find out what payment options are available to you, call 888-534-2295 to speak with a Legacy Healing Center staff member.

Where can I find drug rehab for couples near me?

If you are looking for drug rehab treatment programs for couples near you, start by conducting an internet search and/or reaching out to local governmental, religious, or charitable organizations.

What is the success rate of rehab for couples?

The success rate of alcohol and drug rehab for couples will depend on a large number of criteria, including medical, situational, environmental, historical, and mental health factors.

It is important to remember that millions of people successfully overcome addiction every year, including many thousands of couples, by navigating a supportive recovery process.

Does rehab for couples include alcohol addiction treatment?

Yes, rehab for couples does include alcohol addiction treatment. In fact, rehab for couples can include substance abuse treatment for any substance, and in some cases, it may also be able to treat behavioral addictions as well.

Sources

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition).
  2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.
  3. Al-Anon Family Groups (N/A). Al-Anon and Alateen Groups: Frequently Asked Questions.
  4. Smart Recovery. (N/A). Family & Friends.
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