Couples Alcohol & Drug Rehab Programs in Los Angeles
Couples alcohol and drug rehab programs in Los Angeles typically provide a range of services, including detoxification, individual and couples counseling, group therapy, and aftercare support. The goal of these programs is to help couples achieve long-term sobriety and improve their overall quality of life. Many of these programs are staffed by licensed professionals who are experienced in treating addiction and have a deep understanding of the unique challenges that couples face when struggling with substance abuse.
Benefits of Couples Rehab
Drug addiction is a disease of the brain. When a person takes a drug, they may experience pleasure, relaxation, and an escape from reality. However, over time, the body becomes accustomed to the constant influx of drugs, causing physical dependence, along with other harmful side effects.
When it comes to drug or alcohol addiction, the spouse of an addict can easily get caught up in the whirlwind of the disease and not know what to do. Addiction affects each person differently, but most people with an addiction experience symptoms that can be harmful to their relationships with loved ones. The spouses and partners of those with an addiction can face a variety of psychological effects, including stress and anxiety, depression, anger, and resentment. Some spouses may also struggle with stress-related illnesses ranging from headaches to digestive problems.
Additionally, it’s very common for couples to use drugs and alcohol together. Regardless if both partners are struggling with a substance use disorder or if it’s just one partner, the relationship itself can be damaged by substance abuse, even if the couple is determined to make the relationship work. According to information from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), these are the signs of trouble in a relationship:
- Drug use or drinking is the only thing the couples enjoy doing together
- Substance use leads to domestic violence by one or both partners in the relationship
- The couple feels like they need to be drunk or high to be affectionate or talk about their relationship at all
- The partners in the relationship neglect common responsibilities, like housework or childcare
Increased substance abuse can make it difficult for couples to resolve existing relationship problems because it typically adds additional emotional distance between both people. As a result, substance abuse could get worse. In a perpetuated cycle, treatment is the most important thing for the couple.
One option for couples who struggle with a substance use disorder is to attend drug or alcohol rehab together. Many addiction treatment rehab facilities offer a couples rehab option for those who have a strong relationship and are equally committed to recovery and long-term sobriety. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says an individual’s motivation to change and recover from substance abuse is a vital element in treatment. This makes the couple more likely to complete treatment with the focus and dedication needed to maintain long-term sobriety. Mutual addiction and shared trauma can keep you and your partner locked in a toxic cycle of substance abuse and self-destructive behavior. Codependency in addiction is common in romantic relationships because the addiction feeds itself by making you and your partner think that life without drugs or alcohol is undoable or unbearable. Relationships built around the shared experience of drug or alcohol addiction may have started in love and mutual understanding, but it can leave couples struggling with boundaries, communication, and trust that can negatively impact:
- Effective communication
- Handling finances
- Cooperative decision-making and consideration
- Managing and expressing one’s emotions
- Codependency and enabling behaviors
- Boundary setting and accountability
When it comes to couples rehab, there are a few options. One option is inpatient treatment. This is a treatment program that couples can attend together and continue to reaffirm their commitment to one another. Those who attend inpatient rehab together may have the chance to go to treatment programs and therapy sessions together. Doing so many provide the motivation and support that each person in the relationship needs to recover from their addiction. Research shows that there are benefits of working together as a couple during rehab. Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) has been shown to help strengthen relationship factors that promote abstinence because people in relationships who are more communicative, happier, and healthier may experience a lower risk of relapse.
Rehab for couples has the same essential components as individual addiction treatment except for couples therapy and additional relationship resources. At couples rehab, each individual in the relationship has a personalized care plan tailored to their personal needs and goals. That way, each person can explore the deeper-rooted causes of their addiction and work toward their recovery goals. By taking the time to focus on themselves as individual people to improve self-awareness, couples are often able to then work together to improve their relationship, as well. Couples rehab is about learning to work as a team to overcome life’s challenges and approach each problem directly rather than ignoring the issue. With an increased focus on empowerment and communication, couples rehab can greatly improve the quality of your relationship during the recovery process and thereafter. Some things that can be addressed in couples rehab therapy include:
- The difference between enabling each other and supporting each other
- Setting and reinforcing healthy boundaries
- Effective communication skills
- Accountability and goal setting
- Conflict resolution
During couples rehab for drugs or alcohol, you can expect to go through behavioral couples therapy (BCT). As with other forms of behavioral therapy, behavioral couples therapy focuses on identifying and addressing the cause of harmful behaviors. The goal of behavioral couples therapy is to hold both people in the relationship accountable to one another and promote mutual support. Together, a couple can help each other remain accountable by spotting early signs of relapse.
Couples rehab can also be a good idea for couples where only one partner is experiencing drug or alcohol addiction. Treatment can help the individual with addiction understand the triggers and underlying issues of substance abuse and addiction. This increased understanding and empathy can help reinforce the relationship bond and promote a positive role as a key member of one’s support network.
Whether you or your partner you struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, there are many benefits to couples rehab. These are a few:
- You each gain a sounding board: having a neutral third party to listen to your relationship problems can go a long way toward feeling heard and understood. Plus, therapists act as a sounding board to bounce ideas off of.
- You can better understand your relationship dynamic: everyone brings something different into a relationship. In couples rehab and with couples therapy, you and your partner can better understand the underlying factors that impact the dynamics of your relationship.
- You can gain a new perspective: people tend to view their relationships in a certain way and it can be hard to consider other viewpoints. Couples therapy in drug or alcohol rehab can help individuals recognize this and learn how to take the other’s perspective into account during arguments and difficult conversations.
- There’s a safe space for each individual: one of the best aspects of couples rehab is that it provides a safe space for each person in the relationship. Plus, the space is outside of the home, which can present a safe bubble for both parties to say how they feel truly.
- You can each learn new coping mechanisms: even the most stable and healthy relationships can be stressful and overwhelming at times. Especially when traumatic or triggering events occur. In couples rehab and through couples therapy, individuals can learn healthy coping mechanisms that will benefit each person in the relationship.
- It can restore lost trust between partners: it may be hard to trust a partner who struggles with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Couples rehab ensures both parties can regain trust positively to keep the relationship moving forward, even after an incident where trust was broken.
The decision to enter couples rehab should be an open and honest discussion between both individuals in the relationship. If you or a loved one struggles with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, consider seeking help from a couples rehab treatment program. In a couples treatment program, you can strengthen your communication skills, anger management techniques, conflict resolution skills, and stress reduction techniques.
Why Choose Magnolia Recovery for Spousal or Partner Rehab
When you or your romantic partner is struggling with an addiction, it can be incredibly difficult to determine the best course of action. Luckily, there is help for couples, including couples rehab. Magnolia Recovery of Los Angeles offers couples rehab for those experiencing difficulties with substance abuse. With specialized addiction treatment programs geared towards couples, Magnolia Recovery offers an opportunity for each partner to address their unique issues while learning how to cope with addiction and avoid relapse.
Magnolia Recovery can help couples move forward and find a firmer foundation for their relationship. Through individualized therapeutic and holistic programs, the patients at Magnolia Recovery learn how to communicate more effectively, build healthy boundaries, cope with stressful situations without the use of drugs or alcohol, find the balance between career and family, and more. For more information about couples rehab at Magnolia Recovery, visit the website or call (818) 431-2224.