Couples Treatment

The underlying principle of Couples Treatment, also known as Couples Therapy, is that rehabilitation has a greater success when there is support. The most common treatment philosophy is Cognitive Behavior Therapy. While both members benefit, studies show that women recovering from alcohol addiction have a greater success rate when participating in this type of program.

In addition to substance abuse treatment for both members, Couples Treatment also focuses on aspect of a relationship when one member suffers from addiction and decides to enter therapy. The difficulty faced by the remaining partner is how best to assist the recovering partner, and confronting how life will change.

On the surface, it would seem that ending addiction would return life to normal. In fact, in so many situations, the addiction problems have existed for so long, that what is normal has become skewed. If these issues are not addressed, the natural inclination is to fall back into the life pattern of a partner of an addict. Couples therapy helps the participants reconnect to a way of life with which they are no longer familiar.

In a relationship where one of the partners is addiction, role shifts occur and power imbalances appear. When the abuser enters recovery, things begin to balance, and this power redistribution has potential for problems. Therapy is directed to helping partners adapt to the challenges posed by this power shift.

The non-using partner is also encouraged to participate in support programs, such as Al-Anon, to help with the transition. The underlying goal at every stage is the recovery of the addict. To facilitate that, couples treatment targets assisting both people in the relationship.