Behavioral Couples Therapy can be an effective treatment option for married or cohabitating couples with substance use disorders (SUDs). Couples therapy is designed to provide treatment for alcohol or drug abuse to both people in a relationship simultaneously in order to create a supportive environment for each person in the process of recovery.¹The purpose of couples therapy is to improve and strengthen the relationship while each partner helps support the other’s sobriety.¹

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Couples’ Centers Near Me

Relationships and partnerships in which both of the parties are struggling to overcome their SUD, or substance abuse disorder, are very common. Even in situations where both partners are actively attempting to make their relationship work, married romantic couples where both individuals are abusing alcohol or drugs express a tendency to become emotionally distant and shift their focus on their SUD, not their relationship. This, coupled with the worsening drug or alcohol problem, only places further strain on the relationship.8

Data from AAMFT, or American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, suggests that some of the most frequent signs of troubled drug addicted couples include:8

• Partners struggling to handle their vital responsibilities, including housework and child care.
• Couples only enjoy their joint or separate alcohol and drug use.
• Relationships becoming riddled with domestic violence on behalf of one or both parties involved while intaking alcohol and drugs.
• Rare discussions concerning the issues present in their relationship.
• Not demonstrating affection unless under direct influence of alcohol and drugs.

SUD issues tend to make it more difficult for couples to address important problems present within their relationship. All this only puts more strain on both partners, further exacerbating their substance abuse and any co-occurring disorders they might be experiencing, making it vital to look for couples’ inpatient or outpatient rehab centers and seek treatment.8

Drug and Alcohol Addiction in a Relationship

The loved ones of a person struggling with substance abuse may also be affected by the condition.  Substance abuse has a negative impact on family members and is especially taxing on a relationship with a significant other. The damage caused in a relationship because of one or both person’s substance use does not just go away when someone becomes sober.³

Common issues couples may experience as a result of substance use disorders include:³ Codependent behavior.

• Bonding over substance use (and little else).
• Emotional distance.
• Domestic violence.
• Neglecting responsibilities.
• Neglecting children.
• Job loss/financial stress.

Can Couples Go to Rehab Together?

While couples therapy has been beneficial as a way to address substance abuse within a relationship, inpatient treatment for couples is less common. For example, as recently as 2012, all but 2 treatment facilities for injection drug-using couples in New York had a “no-couples” policy.⁴ In one particular study, that policy was justified by the intense dynamics surrounding couples when both people have substance use disorders, that may include higher rates of intimate partner violence, co-dependency, and the need for individualized treatment.⁴ There is a sense that each person in the relationship may feel able to participate more fully in their own treatment and recovery if they are not preoccupied with their partner during the beginning phases of treatment. Typically, a combination of individual and couples therapy is considered most effective.⁴

What Is the Duration of Couples’ Rehab Programs?

No two SUDs are identical, meaning that each individual case of a couple looking for recovery and treatment warrants separate assessment to determine the best suited program for their particular situation. The duration of the program, as well as its intensity, is determined during the intake portion of the treatment and it can last from several days to half a year, with longer programs being better for more severe cases of addiction.9

It’s important to focus on entering a program that offers the duration with the highest chances of positive end results for your specific case, as there isn’t a single formula which works for all couples in search of drug and alcohol rehab. Some of the most frequent couples’ rehab program durations are:9

• 7-10 days: Suitable for least severe and shortest-lasting addictions in romantic couples. However, these types of programs are not a good choice for couples who’ve been engaging in severe drug or alcohol use over a prolonged period of time.
• 28-30 days: These programs serve as a good starting point for couples to gain a better understanding of their SUD while granting sufficient time to deal with physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms and organize an aftercare protocol that will prevent relapse.
• 60 days: Two months of rehab grant couples an opportunity to further strengthen and support their sobriety as well as fully detox from the substances they’ve been dependent on. What’s more, they get a chance to participate in long-term programs that promote healthy and positive lifestyle habits necessary to maintain their joint sobriety.
• 90 days: Similar to two-month programs, 90-day treatment solutions for couples grant a lot more time in a specialized treatment facility which fosters sobriety, helping couples get to terms with their life without substance abuse, promoting long-term sober living and preventing relapse.
• 6 months: Finally, these types of treatment are suitable for the most severe cases of drug and alcohol addiction and will offer the best results for those couples who have been struggling to find a way out of their addiction for many years.

What Can I Expect When Entering a Drug Rehab and Treatment Center for Couples Near Me?

As mentioned, substance abuse disorders are very different among different individuals, so rehab and treatment programs for couples have to be uniquely tailored to their specific requirements. First, each couple seeking help in overcoming their SUD needs a comprehensive assessment from professionals employed by a reputable couples’ alcohol and drug rehab facility. There, it’s important to discuss different available options and come up with a suitable solution.10

Similarly to other types of addiction rehab programs, couples’ rehab generally consists of these four stages:9

• Comprehensive assessment of the patient by an experienced admissions navigator.
• Medical detox and withdrawal if necessary.
• Addiction treatment including outpatient or inpatient rehab, behavior and individual counseling, as well as couples’ therapy.
• Aftercare protocols designed to foster recovery and significantly reduce relapse chances.

What to Expect in Couples Addiction Treatment

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment for individuals or for couples. In fact, the health of the couple depends on the health and recovery of each person in the relationship.⁴ As such, many who are enrolled in couples therapy may also benefit from individual therapy.⁴

There is, however, a process that is typical during any kind of addiction treatment that includes the following:⁵ 

What Rehab Programs for Couples Are Available?

Depending on the severity of the couples’ substance abuse disorders and their individual requirements, couples seeking recovery from their alcohol or drug addiction can benefit from different programs, including sober living facilities for couples, specialized outpatient treatment programs and/or inpatient rehab facilities for struggling couples.10, 11

Inpatient treatment programs

Inpatient alcohol and drug couples’ rehab programs typically include hospitalization at one of specialized centers for addiction treatment. Depending on the seriousness of the addiction and any potentially existing co-occurring disorders, inpatient treatment can have the duration of several days to six months and longer.10, 12

Inpatient treatment and rehab programs for couples generally consists of the following categories of care:11

• Support groups.
• Educational activities.
• Skill-building workshops.
• Couples and family counseling sessions.
• Individual therapy sessions.
• Medication management.
• Medication-assisted detox and withdrawal.
• Follow-up care.

The intensity and the duration of inpatient treatment means that it can be more expensive when compared to other methods of couples’ alcohol and drug rehab, especially if the requirements call for rapid detox. If you’re unable to cover the expenses of rehab out of pocket, there is a wide range of available options for financing your addiction treatment and recovery. For example, free drug and alcohol rehab for couples remains available at numerous rehab centers. Also, you can freely inspect your insurance coverage and find a facility with at least partial coverage.13

Outpatient

Outpatient treatment solutions for couples struggling with a joint SUD offer similar services when compared to inpatient rehab with the difference of a couple not having to remain at the facility throughout the duration of treatment. Instead, you can remain living at your own home and go to structured sessions at your facility of choice. These sessions typically transpire several times a week in the duration of several hours.10

However, it’s worth noting that outpatient programs feature rehab of a lower intensity, making them more suitable for those couples with mild cases of substance abuse disorders who live in positive environments and who haven’t suffered multiple relapses in recent past. Typically, outpatient rehab can last anywhere from several months to one year.10

Sober living

Another name for a couples’ sober living home is a halfway house for couples. These facilities represent specialized environments for couples who are looking to maintain drug or alcohol abstinence upon successfully completing their rehab. These homes offer an alcohol and drug-free environment which serves to help individuals avoid relapse and integrate into society once again.14

Apart from being transitional environments, the majority of couples’ halfway houses for sober living near you offer access to helpful 12-step programs and various recovery methodologies which service to encourage complete self-sufficiency.14

Treatment Options Available

The majority of couples’ alcohol and drug rehab centers foster behavioral therapies. This form of therapy promotes sobriety through the process of restructuring all the interactions between partners looking to overcome their SUD. What’s more, behavioral therapy grants both partners a more comprehensive understanding of each other’s triggers and the methods they can implement to avoid them.9

Some of the most frequent methods alcohol and drug rehab centers for unmarried and married couples promote are:9

Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT)

BCT offers individuals and couples seeking treatment for their drug and alcohol addiction an opportunity to completely change their way of living and views on the substances they’ve been abusing. The key element of BCT is a “recovery contract”, designed to teach couples how to provide the necessary support to one another and how to foster mutual accountability during substance abstinence. Couples enrolled in a BCT treatment program generally meet with an experienced therapist several times during the week to talk about their goals and come up with fresh coping strategies.9

Alcohol-focused Behavioral Couples Therapy (ABCT)

This form of BCT directly focuses on addressing alcohol-based substance abuse disorders in couples by utilizing a wide range of psychotherapeutic frameworks which promote abstinence and foster mutual healing. This is generally an outpatient program with sessions that help with communication, contingency management, self, control, and sobriety retention.9

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

MAT programs are a requirement in situations with severe substance addiction. In these programs, medication facilitates the process of detoxification and helps both partners safely navigate withdrawal and its various symptoms. Some of the most common types of medication used in couples’ facilities for medical detox near you include buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone. This form of treatment also includes post-detox maintenance sessions designed to teach individuals how to offer assistance to a partner or a spouse throughout the duration of their recovery.9

Recovering Couples Anonymous (RCA)

Most methods for couples’ alcohol and drug rehab include a form of a 12-step program. Partners who are in recovery have the ability to keep attending these meetings even upon the completion of their treatment. Such programs serve the purpose of healing through group support and promoting the necessity of finding adequate assistance from others in maintaining sobriety.9

Can Couples Enter Rehab on the Same Day?

Yes, it’s entirely possible for both partners to enter alcohol and drug rehab and detox for couples near your location on the same day. However, both your loved one and you have to first undergo a comprehensive assessment and evaluation to determine the most appropriate type of facility for you to enter. This helps professionals with adequately choosing the right level of required care and grants them an opportunity to formulate a suitable customized plan.15

Do Couples’ Drug Rehabilitation Facilities Near Me Offer Mental Health Treatment?

Individuals struggling with a form of SUD tend to experience difficulties with a wide range of potential mental health issues which are either developed or worsened due to the presence of a substance abuse disorder. In order to maximize the chances of a complete and lasting recovery, co-occurring disorders require treatment together with drug or alcohol dependency. This is why the majority of couples’ outpatient and inpatient rehab facilities provide treatment for mental health issues.16

Is an Alcohol and Drug Rehab Center for Couples the Best Choice for Me?

In situations where both individuals seeking treatment are completely committed to their marriage or relationship and foster a strong interpersonal connection, it can be extremely helpful if they attend drug and alcohol rehab together. Their love, respect, and other positive feelings can greatly help them both attain and maintain sobriety by providing the necessary love, support, and accountability during the process of remaining sober.17

That being said, it’s important to emphasize that the success of couples’ rehab also significantly diminishes in situations where a single partner is not willing to admit their problem and completely dedicate themselves to treatment. A person has to enter treatment willingly and has to choose to attempt to attain sobriety. This is when it might be suitable to adopt a different process, such an organizing an intervention or going for one of available Christian treatment programs which help individuals acknowledge their issues and overcome them with faith.9

Other situations in which it isn’t recommended to enter a couple’s rehab facility are:9

• One or both partners suffer from a mental health disorder.
• Partners’ individual addictions vary greatly and they both need divergently different treatment programs.
• Relationship is nearing its end and there is no longer a strong desire to remain together.
• Risk of frequent domestic violence between both partners.

What Therapies are Used in Couples Addiction Recovery?

There are a variety of addiction treatments based on a person’s unique needs, but behavioral therapy is usually an important aspect of treatment for most individuals and couples. Behavioral therapy is designed to help change patterns of behavior that involve substance use through counseling with a licensed provider. ⁵

Counselors can help people identify triggers that lead to substance use and help individuals develop healthier coping skills to manage those situations. They can also guide people to cultivate their own internal motivations to stop abusing drugs or alcohol.⁵

Marital and family counseling can help each person in the relationship with the dynamics of substance abuse and codependency within the relationship. Examples include:

How Do I Choose a Suitable Couples’ Drug and Alcohol Rehab Program?

The reality is that individuals looking for treatment have a difficult time choosing the most appropriate method, especially taking into account the continual bombardment with “magical” cures that take their SUD problems away overnight. However, these solutions are unable to deliver consistent results, be they short term or long, and can also serve to further worsen an individual’s or couples’ existing issues.18, 19

That’s why it’s necessary to promote evidence-based treatment solutions which offer comprehensive treatment for overcoming your SUD. It’s important that you choose a facility accredited by one of the respected organizations, for example Joint Commission or CARF and only enter treatment once you’re certain of their previous track record and credentials. Additional factors you should consider include 18, 19

• Necessary and modern amenities.
• Full or partial insurance coverage.
• Reasonable costs.
• Favorable location near your home.
• Specialized outpatient and inpatient options.
• Specialty you need.
• Length of treatment you require.
• Therapies and treatment suitable for your case.
• Success with previous treatment.
• Good staff-to-patient ratio.

Finally, it’s important to choose a suitable specialized facility that caters to your requirements in terms of:19

• Offering tailored drug and alcohol treatment for men.
• Providing substance abuse treatment for veterans.

What Treatment Program is Best for Couples

Determining the right course of treatment, for a person or a couple, is a highly individualized process. Treatment is tailored to the specific needs of each person as well as the couple or family as a whole. Factors like the location of treatment services, the amount of time spent in treatment, and exactly what services are covered by a person’s insurance provider are all taken into consideration.

Options for treatment include everything from inpatient rehabilitation centers to outpatient counseling services and support groups. Some people may need medication-assisted treatment while others might be able to manage withdrawal and cravings without pharmaceutical intervention. Various behavioral therapies will likely be part of any addiction treatment, as will relapse prevention support.⁵

Does Insurance Cover Couples Rehab in Nevada?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) dramatically changed the landscape for the treatment of substance use disorders in the United States, a direct response to the public health crisis brought on by the opioid epidemic.⁷

The ACA essentially expanded insurance coverage to include treatment for substance use disorders and mandated that SUDs be covered in the same way that medical and surgical procedures are covered.⁷ It also extended insurance coverage to millions of Americans through Medicaid expansion and state health insurance exchange programs.⁷ Regulatory insurance reforms also require the inclusion of SUD screening and brief interventions for all insurance plans.⁷

How Can I Locate a Couples’ Outpatient or Inpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility Near Me?

American Addiction Centers, or AAC, is a nationwide network featuring some of the most reputable alcohol and drug addiction treatment facilities for couples. AAC fosters evidence-based treatment and rehab solutions for different forms of SUD, as well as various mental health and co-occurring disorders.

To gather more information on our rehab programs for couples and how we can assist you in your efforts to overcome addiction and help with attaining sobriety and remaining sober, reach out to our helpline to discuss your problems privately and discreetly. We employ a team of experienced admissions counselors capable of answering all your questions, helping you verify the extent of your insurance coverage, and recommending personalized forms of treatment based on your and your partner’s individual and joint needs.

AAC alcohol and drug addiction rehab facilities are available nationwide, throughout the U.S. and are in the network of most insurance providers. Our operators are there to gather all the necessary information and data on your coverage and will offer expertise-based guidance throughout all the stages of the process, from initial confidential consultations to the start of your treatment.

How Can You Enter Couples’ Rehab?

The first step in entering one of couples’ inpatient or outpatient rehab programs for drug and alcohol addiction is contacting a dedicated hotline and inquiring about your available options. From there, you’ll be able to receive all the pertinent information regarding the suitable forms of treatment and be able to find information on several treatment facilities which may be able to treat your SUD.20

Couples’ substance abuse treatment is a good option for both partner since it offers:20

• Motivation to fully complete your treatment program.
• Help with maintaining your abstinence and sobriety.
• Assistance to improve communication and solve problems potentially present in your relationship.
• Help with addressing various relationship issues which stem from your SUD.
• Motivation to restore healthy family and relationship dynamics.

Additional benefits you can expect to experience from entering one of respected couples’ rehab and treatment facilities for different SUDs are:21

• Improvement of treatment outcomes.
• Enhancement of continual abstinence maintenance.
• Mitigation of relapse-prone behavior.
• Recognition of potentially harmful behavioral patterns.
• Improvement of essential communication skills, such as empathy, emotion recognition, and negotiation.
• Development of a wide range of helpful and healthy problem-solving skills.

Finding Couples Rehab Centers in Las Vegas

Of the 66 mental health treatment facilities listed in the 2019 Nevada state profile survey of mental health services, 55 of them offered couples and family therapy, and about a dozen of them were licensed or certified as state substance abuse agencies as well.²

Finding a treatment provider can feel overwhelming. but there are resources available to help. Talk to your doctor or health care provider and ask if they have any referrals or recommendations. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a treatment locator dedicated to helping people find services in their area.

American Addiction Centers has a 24/7 helpline that can help answer questions couples may have about the treatment process. AAC also operates Desert Hope, a Las Vegas rehab that provides treatment for individuals and couples struggling with substance abuse.