Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
Content Reviewed By:
SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Visitation Rules and the Role of Partner Support in Rehab
- When Can I Visit My Boyfriend or Girlfriend in Rehab?
- Initial Adjustment Period for Residential or PHP Rehab
- Family Programs: A Path to Understanding and Support
- Why Can’t I See My Boyfriend or Girlfriend Immediately?
- Additional Resources
Visitation Rules and the Role of Partner Support in Rehab
Most rehab centers allow significant others to visit clients, but they have different rules and parameters depending on program structure, level of care, progress in treatment, and a variety of other factors. Romantic relationships are often the earliest and most painful casualties of substance use disorder. Alcohol and drug use can either significantly strain a relationship or downright destroy it.
When a person enters rehab for substance use, it’s natural for them to want the support of their partner not only after their treatment but while they’re in their program. This support is also a standard pillar of post-treatment relapse prevention.
When Can I Visit My Boyfriend or Girlfriend in Rehab?
It’s important to note that prolonged visitation restrictions in rehab generally only apply to inpatient and residential or partial hospitalization programs. Outpatient programs provide daily treatment sessions, after which patients return home every day. While visits during treatment times are restricted, patients in these programs can see their significant others with uninterrupted regularity.
Initial Adjustment Period for Residential or PHP Rehab
In the case of residential or PHP rehab, each facility has its own rules regarding visitation schedules. Generally, rehab centers don’t encourage visitors until the patient is fully integrated into their program (usually around one to two weeks). This helps patients acclimate to their surroundings and focus solely on getting help during the critical early stages of treatment.
Family Programs: A Path to Understanding and Support
Many facilities also have designated family programs that are part of the treatment plan. These programs are designed not only to let you see your boyfriend or girlfriend while in rehab but also to help you better understand the nature of their addiction and what your role in the recovery process will be. These programs usually occur over a weekend or week and give loved ones the opportunity to lay the groundwork for post-treatment recovery.
Why Can’t I See My Boyfriend or Girlfriend Immediately?
When a person enters rehab, especially a more in-depth level of care, such as in residential treatment, they need time to themselves to get their bearings, start the work of recovery, and reflect on the road ahead. As important as the support of loved ones is during this challenging time, seeing their boyfriend or girlfriend in rehab too early can also serve as an unintentional distraction and actually derail the recovery process.
The best way to find out if and when you can see your boyfriend or girlfriend in rehab is to contact the facility you’re considering and inquire about its family programs and visitation policies.
