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Should Couples Go to Drug Rehab in Morgantown Together?

Addiction treatment has traditionally been an individual thing. In fact, many rehab centers will not provide addiction treatment for couples, as they want to emphasize individual recovery first. At Harmony Ridge Recovery Center WV, we believe this to be very wrong. While individual treatment is usually necessary, there are many benefits to be had from attending drug rehab for couples. When couples go to drug rehab in Morgantown together, they can work on numerous issues that might have brought the addiction about in the first place. By treating the root cause of addiction through couples rehab, couples are able to achieve lasting recovery. In this article, we will explain the connection between relationships and addiction, the benefits of couples rehab and treatment types, as well as provide you with an outline of how couples rehab actually works.

How does addiction affect relationships?

The simplest way in which addiction affects relationships is by creating additional stressful situations. When one (or both) partners develop an addiction, they tend to resort to criticism, abusive language, and contempt more often. This, in turn, leads to various problems with conflict resolution and leads to greater unhappiness in the relationship. Furthermore, addicted partners may also experience a lack of emotional connection, creating even more discord.

two people considering why couples go to drug rehab in Morgantown together
Addiction can easily break the relationship apart.

Once addiction is introduced to a relationship, trust usually becomes an issue. This leads to frequent arguments and may even lead to violence. Alternatively, addiction can be brought about as a coping mechanism of sorts, where one or both partners turn to substance use to deal with stress. While this may seem to work initially, substance abuse inevitably leads to addiction, which inevitably leads to more reasons to fight.

The best thing you can do at this point is to seek treatment. Many drug rehab centers in Morgantown WV can provide you with couples rehab options. Do note, however, that individual treatment is usually a large part of any couples rehab program. We are all unique, after all, and we all require special treatment.

Should couples go to rehab in Morgantown together?

To be perfectly honest, there is no universal answer to this question. While most couples will benefit from couples rehab, it is also possible that individual treatment is preferable in some cases. Similar to how family therapy for addiction is not for everyone, couples rehab can have numerous “barriers of entry.” These barriers might limit or entirely prevent couples from seeking rehab in the first place. Before we go into the benefits of couples rehab, let’s take a look at some of the most common barriers.

Common barriers

The most common barrier is the fact that many couples simply feel that they do not need professional help. More commonly, though, one partner feels that way while the other partner wants to seek treatment. Other couples mistakenly believe that going to couples rehab will have them hospitalized and deprive them of their freedom. Yet other couples decide against couples rehab due to feelings of shame and guilt.

person looking at herself in the mirror feeling shameful
Many couples avoid going to drug rehab in Morgantown together due to feelings of guilt or shame.

Of course, having responsibilities (e.g. raising a child) can also prevent many couples from attending rehab. Luckily, all of these barriers can be overcome with a bit of time and effort. There are rehab options that do not involve hospitalization, and there are numerous specialized rehab programs, such as drug rehab for pregnant women, for example. As for the situation where one partner does not want to go to rehab, ordinary couples therapy can help you achieve accord.

Furthermore, there are so many support mechanisms that couples can lean on during the course of rehab. By relying on your friends, family members, community members, and even employers for support, you will be able to overcome all of the above-mentioned barriers and get the treatment that you need.

If you were wondering why many couples go to drug rehab in Morgantown together in the first place, let us present you with all the major benefits you will get from attending drug rehab as a couple.

Benefits of attending drug rehab as a couple

Most people who have to attend drug rehab struggle with feeling isolated. By attending couples’ drug rehab, you will always know that you are not alone in your struggles, no matter what. You and your partner will be able to share in the experience, allowing you both to become stronger for it. Furthermore, this process will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of your relationship dynamic. You will get to learn what the balance of power in the relationship is, and you will be able to identify specific negative communication patterns.

happy couple, symbolizing the reasons why couples go to drug rehab in Morgantown together
Drug rehab for couples may help you and your partner become even closer.

The presence of a therapist is also a huge boon, as they provide an impartial sounding board. Of course, both partners will need to trust the therapist for this to work. Most couples tend to have issues about hearing things from their partners but will readily listen to honest, impartial, unbiased feedback. The ability to receive such feedback is, perhaps, the greatest benefit of attending drug rehab as a couple.

In addition, as the rehab progresses, you will start to begin to see the perspective of your partner much more clearly. This will help you resolve any relationship roadblocks you might have, learn effective coping skills, and restore trust in the relationship.

What to expect in a couples rehab program?

There are two components to a couples drug rehab program:

  1. Eliminating substance abuse
  2. Repairing the relationship

While you can get treatment for each component separately, it is usually best if both of these issues are “tackled” at the same time. During the rehab, you can expect to attend both individual counseling and group therapy, as well as be able to work on your issues one thing at a time.

The first part of any substance addiction therapy is medical detox. This is where you will have the opportunity to purge the harmful substances from your system while under professional medical supervision. After that, your treatment program will be much more personalized. Some couples choose to undergo holistic therapy for addiction, while others may opt for medication-assisted therapy. Either way, couples rehab will provide you with all the support you may need.

There are numerous treatment types that you will have access to. The best choice for your particular case will depend on numerous factors, such as the severity of your addiction, the number of relationship issues you might have, etc.

Types of substance abuse treatment for couples

The treatment options for couples’ drug rehab are practically the same as for individual drug rehab. This means that you will have access to the following treatment types:

  • Outpatient treatment
  • Inpatient treatment
  • Partial hospitalization
a person undergoing individual therapy and a therapist taking notes
Individual therapy is a core component of each treatment type.

The choice between the three will largely depend on your situation. However, you will need to have a strong, safe, and committed relationship for some of the options that involve more intensive care. Abusive relationships, for example, may be denied couples inpatient treatment. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what each treatment type entails.

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient treatment is usually the preferred form of treatment for couples, as that allows them to continue functioning more or less as normal. This treatment type will require you to visit the treatment facility a few days a week for a couple of hours at a time. During the time spent in the facility, you will alternate between individual therapy for addiction and couples therapy sessions. While this treatment type may seem like the best choice, it is only suitable if the addiction issues are mild. If your addiction issues are moderate, you may want to consider IOP (Intensive Outpatient) treatment instead.

Inpatient treatment

Inpatient treatment is reserved for couples that have severe addiction issues but have a safe relationship. This form of treatment will have you spend your time inside the treatment facility until your addiction issues are resolved. While many couples fear this situation, it is worth noting that inpatient treatment these days is nothing like what was portrayed in the movies of old. Traditionally, inpatient treatment was a somewhat miserable experience where the people inside might have felt like prisoners. However, those days are long gone.

These days, inpatient treatment is more akin to checking into a hotel room. While you will, naturally, have some restrictions, there is a huge degree of freedom to be found even in an inpatient setting. Furthermore, the treatment centers of today are extremely comfortable and provide all the amenities you might need for normal functioning.

Partial hospitalization

Partial hospitalization falls somewhere between outpatient and inpatient therapy. By enrolling in a partial hospitalization program, you will be expected to spend most of your time inside the treatment facility but still sleep at your own home. This treatment type is usually preferable for couples that have moderate to severe addiction issues but do not wish to sleep outside of their own home. Furthermore, partial hospitalization is less expensive than inpatient treatment.

a couple sleeping
Partial hospitalization will allow you to maximize treatment time while sleeping at your own home.

All of the treatment types utilize various therapies to help couples overcome their addiction problems. However, one of the primary reasons why couples go to drug rehab in Morgantown together is that they may benefit from behavioral therapy.

Common types of behavioral therapy for couples

When it comes to drug rehab for couples, three behavioral therapy types stand above the rest:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Behavioral Couples’ Therapy (BCT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Do note that you will have access to many other types of behavioral therapy, as well. Most of the time, however, these three will be all that you need to start living a sober life.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is all about changing the way that you and your partner think and behave. CBT for addiction is an evidence-based therapy that has been specifically developed to treat substance use disorders, marital disorders, as well as a range of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.

Throughout CBT, you will learn to recognize how the distortions in your thinking are creating problems, gain a better understanding of the motivation of others, and learn to develop a greater sense of confidence in your own abilities.

people attending CBT
CBT can be utilized in both individual and group settings.

Behavioral Couples’ Therapy

If CBT is the go-to therapy when it comes to individual treatment, BCT is the go-to therapy when it comes to couples rehab. This therapy type is specifically designed to help couples overcome their addiction issues. The therapy does so by helping you restructure the dysfunctional interactions you might have as a couple.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT is a variation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that focuses on teaching couples how to live in the moment, regulate their emotions, and cope with stress. The principles behind the therapy are core mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation. DBT for addiction is conducted over four stages, where you will learn strategies to accept and tolerate certain circumstances and emotions, as well as learn how to replace problematic behavior patterns with helpful ones.

Goals of drug rehab for couples

The goals of drug rehab for couples may be different from one couple to another, but they are mostly universal. Some of the more notable long-term drug rehab WV for couples goals include:

  • Achieving sobriety
  • Enhancing overall well-being
  • Addressing co-dependency
  • Rebuilding trust
  • Developing a supportive environment

Other goals include achieving easier relapse prevention and learning more about your partner. Another thing to note is that even though you are going through couples rehab, that does not mean you have to go through it completely on your own.

The role of family and friends in the rehab process

When undergoing any type of rehab, having support from friends and family is extremely beneficial. In fact, your family usually plays a key role in drug rehab. Family support and acceptance can mean all the difference between a successful recovery and an unsuccessful one, after all. This is why, even when couples go to drug rehab in Morgantown together, they are actually taking their whole family with them. Not in the literal way, of course, but the statement is true in more ways than one.

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