Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers for Couples Near You

How Addiction Impacts Relationships

Substance use can strain even the strongest relationships. Regardless of a couple’s commitment, addiction may damage the connection between partners and worsen existing challenges.

According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), signs that substance use may be harming a relationship include the following:¹

• Using drugs or alcohol is the only activity the couple enjoys together.
• Domestic violence occurs during or after substance use.
• Partners need to be drunk or high to show affection or discuss relationship issues.
• Daily responsibilities like housework or childcare are neglected.

As substance use worsens, it can create emotional distance, making it harder to communicate, rebuild trust, or break unhealthy patterns. Couples treatment can offer a supportive hand in stopping this cycle, fostering a path toward mutual healing and recovery.

Attending Drug and Alcohol Rehab Together as a Couple

Some couples choose to attend the same rehab program to support each other through recovery. 

Research has shown that including a partner in addiction treatment can help the treatment succeed, especially when the relationship is caring and supportive. In fact, a strong partnership can be one of the most powerful factors in maintaining sobriety.¹

While not all treatment centers offer couples therapy or dedicated couples programs, those that do may combine couples sessions with individual therapy. 

This setup allows each person to work on their own recovery while also addressing relationship dynamics that could impact sobriety.¹

In programs that include couples therapy, whether in inpatient or outpatient rehab, partners can work together on issues such as:

• Addiction-related conflict
• Communication breakdowns
• Co-occurring mental health challenges
• Enabling behaviors or codependency
• Reducing the risk of relapse after treatment

By participating in these sessions, committed couples can strengthen their shared recovery and lay the groundwork for a healthier relationship post-treatment.

Why Couples Therapy Matters in Recovery

Substance use can leave lasting impacts on a relationship—even after treatment. Relapse, unresolved trauma, or ingrained habits like enabling or emotional dependency may persist unless actively addressed.

Research shows that couples who complete BCT experience:²

• Higher relationship satisfaction and lower rates of separation or divorce.
• Reductions in domestic violence.
• In some cases, lower treatment costs compared to individual-only rehab.

One of the main goals of couples therapy in rehab is to establish new relationship norms that support abstinence, improve emotional connection, and encourage long-term recovery—together.

Are Addiction Treatment Programs for Couples Beneficial?

Yes, when appropriate, couples therapy for addiction can have multiple benefits, though more research is needed. These benefits may include:6

• Reducing the severity of substance use.
• Improved problem-solving skills.
• Improved communication skills in regard to negotiating effectively and the healthy expression of emotions.
• Recognizing unhealthy enabling behaviors and replacing them.7
• More effective parenting practices.

When are Treatment Programs for Couples Not Helpful?

There are situations in which it may not be a good idea for a couple to attend rehab together. These include the following situations:

• One member of the couple has special treatment needs that require a special facility.
• A diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder has been made.8
• There is ongoing domestic abuse.
• Only one partner is interested in rehab.
• There is a lack of commitment to continuing the relationship after rehab.

Deciding to enter rehab when your partner isn’t ready can be difficult. But it’s important to remember that you can’t force someone else to seek help, and waiting may delay your own recovery. Taking the step to enter treatment on your own can be both life-changing for you and a powerful example for your partner to consider change in the future.

Separate but United: When Couples Rehab Involves Separate Treatment Paths

In some cases, attending rehab together isn’t possible. Each partner may have unique needs that require individualized care, which may be better addressed in separate living arrangements.

This can occur if:

• There has been a history of violence in the relationship.
• One partner requires a higher level of medical or psychological care.
  

Same Program, Housed Separately

When couples are in the same treatment program but housed separately within the facility, they may still participate in couples therapy sessions, attend scheduled visits, and communicate through the treatment team. This setup can support shared progress toward recovery while also giving each person the space to focus on their own treatment.

Different Programs

In other cases, partners may be enrolled in entirely different programs. While they likely won’t have couples therapy together in this scenario, living and attending treatment separately can still be beneficial, allowing each partner to work intensively on their own recovery before reconnecting.

Couples in Recovery and Aftercare

After completing couples rehab, partners can continue to support each other through recovery by reinforcing the healthy coping mechanisms and relapse prevention strategies learned during treatment. With commitment and communication, they can help one another stay focused, avoid triggers, and navigate challenges together.

If one partner experiences a relapse, it may increase the risk for the other. However, by staying engaged in aftercare programs and peer support groups, couples can work through setbacks and continue building a stable foundation for long-term recovery.

Couples Rehab Centers for Addiction Treatment

Recovering from addiction alone is difficult, and can be even more challenging if there are two of you. 

American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers personalized treatment for alcohol and substance use for you and your partner, and will help you build the skills to hold each other accountable and stay sober together. We welcome couples at locations that offer couples programming. If a specific facility doesn’t, we’ll coordinate the right placement for each partner. Wherever you enter our network, you’ll be treated like family.

We are committed to helping you and your partner on the road to recovery. For more information or to get set up in a program together, contact us now at .

AAC is in network with many insurance companies. Your addiction treatment can be free depending on your policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does drug use affect relationships?

Drugs can affect the user as much as the people around them. In a relationship drug abuse can lead to financial difficulties, legal conflicts (child custody, drunk driving, illicit drug use), spousal abuse (verbal, physical, or sexual).

How does drug use affect the family?

Drug use can place a huge emotional and financial strain on families. The cost of buying drugs can add up quickly, leading to stolen money or valuables, drained savings, or even the sale of family possessions to pay for treatment.

It can also damage trust and relationships. People using drugs may become unreliable, withdraw from family activities, act defiantly toward loved ones, or have unpredictable mood swings. In some cases, drug use can lead to verbal or physical aggression, stealing, and a complete breakdown in communication.

Family members often live in constant worry, afraid their loved one struggling with substance use disorder will hurt themselves, hurt others, or even die. This stress disrupts the stability of the household and changes the way the whole family functions. Over time, drug use does not just hurt the person using; it affects everyone close to them.10

What if my partner does not want to go to rehab?

It can be challenging when you want help for a substance use problem but your partner does not. If only one member of a couple seeks treatment while the other continues to use substances, recovery can be more difficult, and the risk of relapse after treatment may be higher.¹

If your partner is resistant to treatment, try to have an open and non-judgmental conversation about your concerns. Focus on how their substance use affects both of you and the relationship, and share specific examples without blaming. Sometimes, attending an initial counseling session together, even if it is not formal rehab, can help break down resistance.¹

It is also important to take care of yourself. Consider joining a support group for loved ones of people with substance use disorders, such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon. These groups can help you learn healthy coping strategies, set boundaries, and connect with others in similar situations.¹

Avoiding treatment altogether can allow issues such as relationship difficulties, financial problems, and declines in physical and mental health to worsen for both partners. When both partners are willing to engage in the recovery process, they may benefit from learning how to heal together. A family-oriented treatment approach, such as behavioral couples therapy (BCT), may support cohabiting partners in recovery.³,⁸ BCT may also help improve relationship dynamics, address challenges like codependency or enabling, and support individual and shared efforts to stay in recovery.³,⁸

Are there co-ed rehabs?

Yes. Some rehab facilities are single-gender, while others are co-ed. At Oxford Treatment Center, we offer a Married Couple’s Program for eligible partners, but even in our co-ed programs, men and women live in separate housing. Couples in our program may attend designated couples therapy sessions together while participating in individual and group sessions separately. If you’re looking for a program that accepts couples, it’s important to call ahead to confirm eligibility and program availability, as requirements vary by location.

Do rehabs allow cellphones?

Cellphone and electronic device policies vary by facility. At Oxford Treatment Center, patients typically do not have access to their cellphones during the detox period. This helps limit distractions and keep the focus on early recovery. After detox, patients may regain phone access if they follow program rules and staff guidance. Some therapeutic settings limit usage to certain times of day, while others allow more flexible access depending on progress in treatment. Always check the policy at your specific facility before admission.