Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs for Couples

If you live with addiction or love someone who does, you probably understand the intense emotions that often surround this condition. Worry, guilt, anger, helplessness, frustration–all these and more are common when you have to watch someone you love suffer and struggle with their addiction.

But what happens when both partners in a loving relationship struggle with addiction? Without one sober partner in a relationship, both people are more likely to move deeper into their addictions and experience worsening consequences. They may be less likely to seek treatment until their addiction becomes obvious to others who can then intervene.

The first step in getting addiction treatment is to recognize the signs of a problematic relationship with drugs and alcohol as soon as possible. If two people in a relationship struggle with addiction, they may benefit from going to rehab at the same time. Some treatment facilities offer couples rehab, which allows people to stay close to their partners as they both receive treatment. Learning more about this option can help you decide if it is the right choice for you and your partner.

Recognizing the Need for Rehab

Many people fail to realize that they have developed an addiction until they experience a very obvious negative consequence, such as an accident, legal trouble, or serious medical event. At this point, a person’s body and brain have likely adapted to the presence of drugs and alcohol, and quitting using will be very difficult. It is important to understand the signs of addiction so that you can seek treatment as early as possible.

Some signs of addiction to drugs or alcohol include:

• Needing more of the substance to get the same effect
• Taking more than you planned to
• Hiding or covering up your substance use
• Falling behind at work, school, or in your responsibilities at home
• Continuing to use despite negative consequences
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you cut back or stop using
• Spending a lot of time thinking about, getting, using, or recovering from using the substance
• Isolating or losing interest in hobbies or social activities

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or your partner, you may be in danger of developing an addiction that is difficult to overcome without treatment.

How Does Addiction Treatment for Couples Work?

Some facilities offer couples rehab in New Jersey that allows people to work through addiction treatment alongside their partner. For some couples, this is a good option that lets them stay connected while receiving the treatment they need.

Just like individual rehab programs, addiction treatment for couples happens in several stages. Generally, these are:

Medically supervised detox: Usually, people in a couple are required to go through detox separate from their partner. This allows both people to focus on their individual needs and increase the likelihood of a complete, safe detox. During detox, people are monitored and treated for uncomfortable or dangerous symptoms of withdrawal.

Treatment: In addiction treatment for couples, people may be allowed to live with or near their partner while receiving treatment. Both people have their own individualized treatment program that will meet their unique needs. Addiction treatment plans often include group and individual therapy, education, holistic therapies, and medications.

Aftercare: After completing treatment, the couple will develop an aftercare plan that addresses the ongoing needs of both people individually, and their shared needs as a couple.

When both people in a couple get addiction treatment, it makes it more likely that they will achieve their goal of lifelong sobriety. It is important to consider whether or not couples rehab in New Jersey is the best choice for you and your partner before getting started.

Things to Consider Before Starting Couples Rehab in New Jersey

Going through rehab with a partner is not the best choice for everybody. There are some things to consider before choosing an addiction treatment for couples.

First, are both members of the couple equally committed to treatment? If one person is ready and committed to sobriety and the other isn’t, it might be best for them to go to rehab separately. Rehab requires a great deal of dedication, work, and energy. You must have a lot of support and minimal distractions.

Second, couples rehab is not a good fit if the relationship has a history of violence or aggression. Both members of the couple must feel safe, supported, and free from coercion or intimidation while they go through rehab.

Lastly, couples with a history of an unhealthy or codependent relationship should not attend addiction treatment for couples. Codependency often results in people having poor boundaries with their partner or worrying more about the other’s health and happiness than their own. In rehab, people must be able to focus solely on their own recovery.

Addiction treatment is a very personal process. Each person in treatment must receive their own individualized program and be allowed to focus on their thoughts, feelings, and plans for the future. In some cases, couples rehab allows this to happen, while in others, it is not possible. When making decisions about your treatment, talk to the trained addiction specialists at your rehab facility to develop the plan that is right for you.

Find a Couples Drug and Alcohol Rehab Program Today

If you or someone you love requires addiction treatment, do not wait another day to get the life-saving help you need. Speak with a professional addiction specialist at New Jersey Addiction Interventions to find the right treatment program for you. Call now to get started.