Couples Group Therapy

Couples therapy can be a potent tool for people struggling with addiction. In therapy, couples can work together to identify the root causes of their addiction and develop a plan to overcome it. They can also learn new coping and communication skills that can help them to better deal with the stresses of life that may have contributed to their addiction in the first place.

In the process, couples may also discover a deeper connection and increase their understanding of one another. For people who are in treatment for addiction, attending couples therapy can also be a helpful way to involve the people closest to them in their healing process.

How Couples Therapy Works

Before beginning to work on the difficulties that have led a couple to couples therapy, couples therapists seek to understand better how the couple's relationship structure relates to the problems that brought them there. Couples seek help for resentment, diminished displays of love, financial difficulties, adultery, and drug abuse. When working with teams, the therapist aims to improve communication and reduce stress by addressing their specific concerns.

Couples therapists look at individual and couple problems. In this phase, therapists try to improve the couple's problem-solving skills. In some cases, one partner may be more to blame than the other, but the goal is to work together to solve the problem.

Interviews and evaluations of the relationship's history, ideals, and cultural context are common first steps. Therapists help couples identify concerns and set treatment goals. The therapist helps the team understand their marital dynamics and resolve their problems.

While the couple needs to understand their needs and habits, they must also focus on solving the problems that brought them to the therapist. Therapy helps couples understand each other, learn new skills, and achieve common goals. The therapist gives the couple homework to help them.

Areas of Interest in Therapy

In couples therapy, the focus of the sessions will be on these main areas:

• The treatment stresses the strength of the relationship and each partner and leverages these qualities to help their relationships grow and develop.
• As a result of the intervention, both parties can better see their relationship objectively and cease blaming one another for their problems. Partners' perceptions of their relationship have changed, and they now approach their partnership more toward keeping them together.
• There is less emotional isolation or avoidance. The therapist helps people who are hesitant or even afraid to communicate their emotions to their spouse to learn to do so in a way that encourages openness and closeness.
• Rather than engaging in behaviors that harm their mental, bodily, or emotional well-being, partners who engage in these dysfunctional ones are taught other ways to conduct themselves. When domestic violence is involved, a therapist may suggest that one of the partners be sent to a shelter as a precaution. The therapist may recommend individual therapy, such as anger management or drug use disorder treatment, for a spouse in other circumstances who may work with partners to address relationship issues.
• People must become more intimately connected and committed to one another to strengthen communication. Often, the therapist works with the couple to help them improve their communication skills. Efforts are made to promote empathy and understanding.

They may overcome resentment and fury and reestablish their connection by resolving their differences. Therapists work with couples to help them become more proactive and healthier in dealing with their problems and keep them working together as a team. It's also important to note that couples therapy can't solve every problem.

Benefits of Couples Therapy for Addiction

There are many advantages to couples therapy. These are among the most beneficial:

Improved Communication

Relationships are built on the foundation of effective communication, either strengthening or weakening, depending on the circumstances. Unfortunately, most persons in early recovery from addiction have difficulty mastering this ability. They may be so used to lying, manipulating, passive-aggressiveness, or hostility that they find it challenging to adapt to new communication methods. Couples counseling covers difficulties linked to conflict management, dealing with codependency, and setting appropriate boundaries.

Better Parenting

As a parent, your relationship might suffer greatly. Couples therapy may help parents deal with these difficulties. You and your partner can become better role models for your children and have a more satisfying relationship. Many individuals have a difficult time coordinating and integrating their approach to recovery.

More Intimacy

Intimacy is sometimes mistaken for sex, although it refers to feelings of love and connection. Intimacy may be impacted by addiction recovery in a variety of ways, including recovering from infidelity or other trust difficulties and dealing with other recovery-related pressures (work, family, medical issues).

Increased Support and Understanding of Mental Health Issues

Psychoeducation and resources for both spouses are provided in couples therapy. There's a good chance one, or both of you may be affected by a mental health disorder affecting 20% of Americans. Drugs and alcohol are often used to cope with the unpleasant symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many persons in recovery become more conscious of their troubling symptoms throughout their recovery process.

Restore Connection in Recovery

At Wish Recovery, we understand that a solid relationship is critical regarding healthy and effective treatment. Couples who stay close during this challenging time are more likely to succeed. Not only do they tend to take better care of themselves and keep on track with their recovery process, but working together and facing challenges side by side can significantly help a couple in their attempts to achieve happiness in their relationships and everyday lives. We focus on assisting couples to come out of treatment feeling happier and closer than before!