August 13, 2019Tyler Collins
If you and your partner are suffering from substance abuse problems, it can be very challenging not only for the two of you but also for your children, your family members, and your loved ones.
So, when you finally make that decision to go into rehab and seek out sobriety, it is very important that you choose the right course of treatment that will benefit you not only as an individual but also as a couple.
One common question that most couples ask is whether it is beneficial to go to the same rehab together with their partner? Will this make the treatment plan more effective or is more advisable just to go your separate ways and reunite after rehab?
There are different advantages and disadvantages when you decide to go to the same rehabilitation facility with your partner. Of course, every rehab center is different and it would really depend on the program administrators, how the program was designed, and on you as a couple whether you will succeed in recovery. However, below are some of the common experiences of couples who decide to enter the same rehab.
A typical issue couples face especially when entering an inpatient residential program is that many facilities are often not prepared to deal with having a couple living in the same house. Most centers expect to house individuals who don’t know one another and just starting anew. Having couples in the mix can be a tricky situation. This can cause conflict not only during treatment of the couple but could also affect the living dynamics with the other residents in the facility.
Recovery can be very challenging and this can cause people to have difficult attitudes as well. During the tough times, some couples may find themselves constantly bickering at one another instead of focusing on the recovery process. There may also be instances when one partner’s struggles may cause the other’s progress to be slowed down.
While these the disadvantages above may lead you to think that going in the same rehab is a bad idea, you should also be aware that there are also upsides. When couples go into the same treatment program, there is an opportunity for the counselor to assess their situation as a couple and create a specialized treatment plan that can deal with their issues not only as individuals but as couples as well.
Being in the same rehab also means that both partners are being provided with the same tools and learning that can aid them in recovery. This can make it much easier for the two of them to understand and support each other even after they have completed the rehab program. The risk of going into different facilities is that the different approach might cause the couple to drift apart rather than work on sobriety together.
Another advantage is the convenience of going into the same treatment facility. Dealing with addiction is tough enough so you don’t really need to trouble yourself with double the time and effort finding separate rehabs for each partner.
Choosing the best Rehab for Couples
After weighing the pros and cons of going into the same rehab, it is still more advantageous for couples to go into the same rehab together. So, to answer the question, yes you can go to the same rehab with your partner. However, it is very important that couples choose the right treatment plan and facility that recognizes the unique challenges couples face.
For example, it might not be the best option for couples to live under one roof especially and see each other especially during the early days of recovery. But this does not mean that they should be miles apart physically and under different rehab centers.
This is the reason why the Lighthouse Treatment Center launched the Sober 2gether Couples Recovery Program. The aim of the program is to encourage couples to seek a life of sobriety together and make them realize that it is possible to enjoy a healthy, drug-free relationship. The program recognizes the struggles of couples dealing with substance abuse that’s why aside from focusing on individual recovery, couples also receive the benefits of couples’ therapy and family counseling.
At the Lighthouse, couples are also not placed under the same roof. While they reside in the same campus, they will live in separate houses. After the blackout period, the couples are allowed to see each other during weekends, write letters, and communicate. Additionally, program counselors will only recommend joint sessions once both partners are ready to do so at an appropriate time.
Couples will also be introduced to fun and sober activities that they can pursue together. These activities could help couples strengthen their bond with each other and enjoy each other’s company without the influence of harmful substances.
If you and your partner are struggling with substance abuse, help is available. Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center to learn more about our Sober 2gether Couples Recovery Program.
