So, your relationship has been struggling lately, huh? It’s probably no surprise that addiction can wreak havoc on intimacy and trust. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, gambling, or something else, addictive behaviors often come before everything else, including your partner. But the good news is that there are treatments that can help. Couples therapy for addiction treatment aims to help you reconnect, set healthy boundaries, improve communication, and find ways to support each other through recovery.
The road ahead may not be easy, but seeking help from a professional therapist experienced with addiction issues can help get your relationship back on track. With work and commitment to the process, couples therapy offers real hope. So if you’ve been feeling disconnected, unheard, or resentful, know that you’re not alone and that there are resources available whenever you’re ready.
The first step is simply acknowledging that there’s a problem and having the courage to do something about it. You owe it to yourself and your relationship to seek help. There is healing and happiness to be found again. Let Westwind Recovery® in Los Angeles, California help you!
What is Couples Therapy for Addiction?
Couples therapy for addiction treatment is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to address substance abuse and addiction in Los Angeles, CA within the context of a romantic relationship. This form of therapy recognizes that addiction doesn’t just affect the individual struggling with substance abuse but also has a significant impact on their partner and the dynamics of their relationship. Couples therapy for addiction treatment aims to provide support, guidance, and tools for both partners to navigate the challenges posed by addiction while fostering healthier communication and relational patterns.
In couples therapy for addiction, a licensed therapist plays a big role. They collaborate with both partners to create a personalized treatment plan. The process targets core areas like open communication, trust rebuilding, healthy boundaries, and coping strategies. Furthermore, the therapist aids in uncovering addiction causes and crafting a relapse prevention strategy. Additionally, they intervene during intense arguments, enabling effective expression and active listening. This process resolves conflicts and cultivates a basis for healthy communication.
However, the success of couples therapy isn’t solely dependent on the therapist’s expertise. For any relationship to thrive, both partners must be committed to honesty, openness, and investing effort. The therapist acts as a guide, equipping couples with the skills and insights they need to nurture their bond. But it is the willingness of both individuals to actively participate and implement what they learn that truly determines the therapy’s impact.
How Does Addiction Affect Intimate Relationships?
Addiction in Los Angeles, CA can deeply affect intimate relationships, often causing significant strain and damage. Understanding how addiction can influence intimate relationships is essential for addressing these issues effectively and working toward healing and recovery as a unit.
Addiction and Sexual Health
Sexual health is one of many areas of a person’s life that addiction can have a significant impact on. This can happen in different ways, depending on the addiction and how long it lasts. It’s important to realize how addiction can affect your sexual life so you can get the right help and treatment.
One significant way in which addiction can impair sexual health is through the alteration of brain chemistry. Substance abuse can change how your brain’s chemicals act. Using drugs or alcohol can mess up the way certain hormones and brain messengers work. This might lead to problems like not wanting to have sex, having trouble getting or keeping an erection, or finding it hard to have an orgasm.
Furthermore, addiction often leads to negative self-esteem and feelings of guilt or shame. These emotional burdens can take a toll on an individual’s sexual confidence, leading to anxiety or a decrease in sexual desire. Additionally, addiction may result in relationship issues, strain intimate connections, and diminish emotional and physical intimacy.
Addiction and Infidelity
Addiction can introduce complexities into relationships, and when coupled with infidelity, the challenges can be even more profound. Substance abuse can lead to impulsive behaviors, including infidelity, due to impaired judgment and decision-making. Individuals grappling with addiction might seek solace or escape from their struggles through extramarital affairs.
On the other hand, the partner who discovers the infidelity might experience intensified feelings of betrayal and mistrust, which can exacerbate the strain on the relationship. Addressing both addiction and infidelity requires open communication, therapy, and a commitment to rebuilding trust. It’s a process that demands patience, understanding, and a shared effort to navigate these difficult issues and work toward healing and reconciliation.
What to Do if Your Partner Has an Addiction
If your partner has an addiction, the most important thing you can do is seek help. Couples therapy focused on addiction can help you work through challenges together and find strategies for overcoming unhealthy patterns.
Find a Therapist
Look for a licensed marriage and family therapist or psychologist with experience helping couples struggling with addiction in Los Angeles, CA. Ask about their approach, credentials, and success rates. You want someone who can address both the relationship issues and the addiction.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries are essential for your own health and safety as well as supporting your partner’s recovery. Be very clear about what is and isn’t okay and the consequences if those boundaries are crossed. You may need to limit access to money or transportation or avoid enabling their addiction in other ways. This can be difficult, but staying firm with your boundaries shows you care.
Improve Communication
Healthy communication is the foundation of a strong relationship. In therapy, you’ll learn skills for expressing your feelings, listening to understand rather than just reply, and resolving conflicts in a constructive way. Talk openly and honestly with your partner about the addiction, its impacts, and your hopes for recovery and the relationship.
Rebuild Trust and Intimacy
Addiction can severely damage trust and intimacy. Through counseling, you can begin to rebuild emotional and physical intimacy in a gradual, safe way. This may involve “dating” again, engaging in joint activities together, being fully present when talking, sharing appreciation for your partner, and relearning how to be physically intimate.
Make a Plan for Recovery
Work with your therapist and partner to develop a comprehensive recovery plan. This should include not only treatment for the addiction but also regular counseling sessions, a schedule for meetings or support groups, lifestyle changes, accountability measures, and a plan for relapse prevention. Making a concrete plan gives you shared goals and a roadmap for success.
The road to recovery will not always be easy, but with professional help and commitment to the process, couples can heal from addiction and build a healthy, thriving relationship. Stick with counseling, be patient, and remember why you chose to support your partner. There is hope and healing ahead!
Finding the Best Couples Therapy for Addiction Treatment
Finding the right couples therapy for addiction treatment is key to repairing the damage addiction has caused to your relationship. Here are some tips to find the best help:
- Look for therapists with experience treating addiction and relationship issues. Ask about their approach and credentials. Do they have experience with evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, or emotionally focused therapy? Are they certified as a couples counselor or in addiction medicine?
- Seek counseling that addresses both substance use disorders and relationship problems. The most effective approach treats both issues together, not separately. Look for a therapist who understands how addiction impacts intimacy, trust, communication, and daily interactions.
- Consider counseling that includes both individual and joint sessions. Individual counseling in Los Angeles, CA can help you process feelings privately before sharing them with your partner. Joint sessions allow you to work through issues together with the guidance of a therapist. A combination of both may be most effective.
- Ask about support groups and education. Look for a program that encourages participation in 12-step or other support groups. Education about addiction, relationships, and coping strategies will empower you both with the tools and knowledge to rebuild your connection.
- Discuss philosophies of care and aftercare planning. Find a therapist who will help you develop a plan to continue progress after the initial treatment ends. Ongoing support through follow-up sessions, support groups, and relapse prevention planning is key.
The effects of addiction on a relationship can be devastating, but with professional help, commitment to the process, and a desire to reconnect, couples can heal and develop a closer, healthier relationship. Finding the right therapist and comprehensive treatment program in Los Angeles, CA is the first step toward repairing the damage, rebuilding trust, and rediscovering intimacy.
Westwind Recovery® Offers Couples Therapy for Addiction Treatment
Westwind Recovery® is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate support for individuals seeking addiction treatment, and we extend this commitment to couples struggling with addiction. Recognizing the unique challenges that couples face when dealing with substance abuse, we offer specialized couples therapy as part of our addiction treatment program. This innovative approach aims not only to address the individual’s recovery needs but also to foster healing within the relationship itself. Our couples therapy for addiction treatment embodies holistic philosophy, recognizing the interconnectedness of personal well-being and relationship dynamics in the journey toward a healthier and more fulfilling life. Contact us today for more information!
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
