- Content Reviewed By:
- Andrew McKenna - JD
- Deputy Director of NCADD Westchester
Updated: 04/13/2023
Do addiction treatment centers allow couples to go to treatment together?
Short answer, Yes. Many rehab centers do allow couples to attend treatment together, but it ultimately depends on the treatment modalities of the specific facility. Some rehab centers may only allow one person per room, while others may have separate living quarters for couples. Additionally, some rehabs may require that both individuals have a Substance Use Disorder or addiction, while others may allow one non- SUD partner to attend as support for the other. It is important to research different rehab options and inquire about their policies regarding couples before making a decision on which facility to attend.
The romantic relationship is often the earliest and most immediate casualty of alcohol and drug addiction. The lying, manipulation, physical and psychological aggression that come along with Substance Use Disorders quickly erode the trust, confidence, comfortability and safety that are essential in any romantic partnership.
Drug rehab centers that allow couples can help repair relationships in which both or one member of the relationship is struggling with alcohol or drug use. Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) has been around for decades, hailed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as one of the most outstanding advances in the area of alcoholism psychotherapy. It has become more essential than ever as deaths from drug overdoses and alcohol-related fatalities continue to reach record highs every year.
For a detailed analysis of Behavioral Couples Therapy, see the following article published by the National Institute of Health: Behavioral Couples Therapy for Substance Abuse: Rationale, Methods, and Findings – NIH
Alcohol and drug rehabs allow couples to go deeper by providing intuitive and targeted care for every aspect of the Substance Use Disorder as it relates to relationships. Therapists trained in BCT are a vital resource for either married or partnered couples to heal as a unit, and move forward in their collective recovery.
How Can Couples Rehab for Alcohol and Drug Addiction Help?
A comprehensive meta-analysis of studies from State University of New York, Harvard and the University of California San Diego reveals that patients who engage in BCT have consistently reported greater reductions in Substance Use Disorder than those patients who receive only individual counseling. Behavioral Couples Therapy is designed for couples who are married or living together seeking help for alcoholism or drug abuse. BCT treats both the substance using person together with the spouse or live-in partner. BCT’s primary aims are to build support for abstinence, relapse prevention, and to improve long-term relationship functioning.
Behavioral couples rehab for alcohol and drug addiction focuses on core issues specific to your relationship. Some of the most common include:
- Trust Issues – Erosion of trust is one of the primary issues that couples battling Substance Use Disorder face. These problems can manifest through a number of different circumstances, including infidelity, money issues related to substance use, lack of emotional support and more. Couples rehab helps bring back stability to the partnership and to re-establish trust.
- Codependency – Codependency and enabling are two of the most common co-occurring mental health issues in relationships where substance use is present. While it can take many forms, it is one of the driving forces behind the perpetuation of substance use and can lead to a vicious cycle of toxic behavior in a relationship.
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) – On the more extreme end of the spectrum, Intimate Partner Violence is often a tragic reality in relationships where substance use is present. Data from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) indicates that Substance Use Disorder was found to co-occur in 40 to 60% of IPV incidents.
Couples rehab can also help address issues related to parental Substance Use Disorder, depending upon the scope and resources of the program in question.
How Does Couples Addiction Rehab Work?
The exact modalities used in couples rehab will vary, depending upon which facility you and your partner choose. Couples rehabs typically offer:
- Inpatient and Residential Treatment – Couples reside in their treatment program for an average of 28 to 30 days and receive care in a discreet, supportive, and comfortable environment. Some inpatient rehabs that allow couples may offer gender-specific housing and allow you or your partner to stay together.
- Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Care – Outpatient couples rehab may be a more viable option for you and your partner, particularly if one or the other have demanding careers or have children in their care. Your primary therapist will provide you with daily couples and individual treatment sessions and therapy exercises.
It’s important to realize that your treatment must be your top priority and primary responsibility. You must work on yourself and your relationship in order to succeed in other areas of life, including your job or parental duties. Your insurance will likely cover couples rehab. Talk to the admissions representative at your prospective facility to learn more.
Additional Resources For Couples That Experience Substance Misuse
- Behavioral couples therapy for alcoholism and drug abuse
- Behavioral Couples Therapy for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – NIH
- Behavioral Couples Therapy for Substance Abuse – APA PsycNet
- Behavioral Couples Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorders – Society of Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Couples Therapy for Substance Abuse – National Institute of Justice
Find A Rehab That Allows Couples Today
The longer you and your partner wait to get the help you need, the more of an impact that addiction will take on your relationship, as well as your individual health and quality of life. This will take commitment from both you and your partner, but we’re ready to help you get the process started by finding a rehab that allows couples in your area. Start browsing our database of treatment centers to find a location near you. Take the first step toward bringing harmony, trust and function back to your relationship.
