AFTERCARE

Couples Relapse Prevention

We hear a lot about an addict entering a treatment program and thinking that once they have completed their program, they will be cured. Unfortunately, it takes a lot more to maintain sobriety than detoxification and a short period of time participating in therapy. Most couples enter a program that will range from 30 to 90 days where they will receive intensive therapy to begin the process of recovery. While it is crucial that a couple complete this initial phase of recovery, it will require a lot more work to fully conquer both partner’s addictions and stay successful in recovery.

Most addicted couples need a significant amount of help and guidance for years after completing a program for them to fully recover from their addictions. A study published in the Journal of Addiction Disease cited that the relapse rates among addicts can be as high at 75 to 90 percent. This statistic speaks for itself on the importance of effective aftercare planning in substance abuse treatment. The real program begins when the addiction treatment portion ends. This will ensure the best chance the recovering couple has at remaining sober. Sobriety is a lifelong commitment. But it doesn’t have to sound like a drag. Sobriety becomes a very fulfilling way of life once a sober couple learns to harness the joys that always were wanting to come out anyway but could not.

The Importance Of An Effective Aftercare Plan

Our partners believe that a well-written and executed aftercare plan is a key part of any successful treatment program.

“Psychosocial rehabilitation helps people develop the social, emotional and intellectual skills they need in order to live happily with the smallest amount of professional assistance they can manage.”

Couples who enter our affiliated treatment programs are required to begin working with a staff member to develop their aftercare plan while going through admission in treatment. It is important that the couple plays a lead role when developing their aftercare plan, since this is in fact their plan for success.

A common phrase in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups is “No man is an island.” The point they are trying to make is that it takes help from others to stay sober, and that other people are going to influence and jeopardize your sobriety, too. Doing it on your own is nearly impossible. For that reason, we strongly recommend the 12-step program, which has helped millions of people and has been around for almost 80 years.

However, we understand that some people do not care of the 12 steps. In those cases, we are happy to help you find other forms of support. The notion of “AA/NA or the highway” was dispelled long ago. Today, many groups exist to guide people in recovery, some science-based, such as SMART Recovery. Other groups include LifeRing, a secular organization with most of its chapters in the western United States. Sometimes, women in particular do not feel safe in recovery groups. Unfortunately, the rare story about someone meeting a dangerous person in a 12-step group makes for salacious headlines. But when it does happen, it does happen. Women who may have been in an abusive relationship or the victim of a sex crime or other assault may be apprehensive. The good news is, there is a recovery group specifically for women, too, called Women in Sobriety. Meeting places and times are not posted and must be obtained by calling a telephone number.

Prior to going into treatment, couples probably have no idea what their effective aftercare plan might include. But they will be aware of what’s not working in the relationship as a result of addiction, so it’s important to be brutally honest about the relationship during treatment. Only then will a skilled clinician truly know how to help you.

It really comes down to you and your partner or spouse being honest about what makes each of you happy as individuals and as a pair.

What sorts of things cause you and your loved one to get upset and to use? What kinds of issues do you quarrel about and why?

What works well in the relationship? What are some effective tools you have that currently work for smoothing over rough patches?

As discharge from treatment approaches, a couple’s aftercare plan will solidify and an individualized plan for follow-up care will be completed. Having a solid aftercare plan in place will increase the couple’s success at maintaining long-term sobriety. The initial treatment program will equip the couple with the tools they need to lead a sober lifestyle and the aftercare program will allow them to apply what they have learned to life after treatment.

The San Diego Chapter of NAMI offers this sage advice about creating an aftercare plan:

“Whatever steps you take toward sobriety, it’s critical that you keep your mental health in mind. Continuing to take your medication is very important. Make sure any self-help program you join respects and understands your recovery needs.”

You deserve complete respect for making the decision to get sober with your partner or spouse. We are here to help you, as a couple, succeed. We respect your way of life as it pertains to helping you and your partner or spouse become sober with us.

A Strong Support Network Makes All The Difference

Aftercare planning for a substance abuse program will also provide the couple with a network of like-minded people who are at the same place in their recovery journey, as well as others who have had years of successful sobriety. This support network is everything when it comes to maintaining sobriety. It provides continuing education as well as long term guidance from other recovering addicts, which is imperative in maintaining long-term sobriety. It will also provide the couple a chance to give guidance to other newly sober couples as they continue on their recovery journey.

We also believe that growing together and stronger as a couple is a key component in helping to prevent relapse. The rebuilding of the relationship through continued therapy is important. Therapy will help the couple learn and implement healthy ways to cope with relationship and life stressors.  It is also important for the couple to stay engaged in life and have a positive influence on one another. It becomes tricky to stay sober together if one person is still struggling daily. This is why it is especially important for couples to have a rock-solid aftercare plan in place. It is the road map for their success at long-term sobriety. Again, the relationship becomes that thing “bigger than yourself” which makes sobriety a worthwhile effort. It can be a very powerful and effective force when successfully implemented.

What aftercare really is all about is recognizing that urge to drink – even a tiny urge – and understanding where it always will ultimately lead. Once knowing that, you find ways of avoiding it by doing other things. What usually happens is people truly start enjoying life in healthy ways. There really is no need to preach sobriety, because even 30 days into it you and your partner may be experiencing the greatest high since you met.

But beware “the pink cloud,” they say.

It sounds like something Bob Eubanks would say on “The Newlyweds.”