Behavior Couples Therapy for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse - Research Paper Example

? Behavior Couples Therapy for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Behavior Couples Therapy for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Behavior couples therapy comprises multiple sessions of therapy intended foe a couple when either or both partners exhibit a problem with alcohol or drugs. The primary objective of this type of therapy is to offer help to couples or partners who are living together. According to psychologists, the support from a partner can motivate a patient to abstain from the use of drugs or alcohol. The patient’s partner commits to offer support to his or her partner. Moreover, the therapy also focuses on strengthening relationships between couples after the detriment brought about by substance or drug abuse. This paper will highlight the basis and functionality of the therapy. Behavior couples therapy begins when an individual recognizes the need for assistance in the drug abstinence process, and consents to appreciate help from his or her partner. In some cases, both individuals may have a problem surrounding substance abuse necessitating a dual therapy. Usually, the initial help presented to drug abusers is detoxification, and thereafter, outpatient therapy sessions begin. The perfect timing for the behavior couples therapy is during the start of the outpatient counseling sessions. The patient attends the initial session on his or her own, during which the therapist highlights the importance of a couple therapy. If the patient concurs with the idea, the therapist conducts the patient’s partner, inviting him or her for the next session (Wakefield, 2006). During the initial session as a couple, the therapist must use discernment and address the feelings that are likely to emanate from two effectively. The therapist must make the patient’s partner realize the importance of supporting his or her partner to quit substance abuse at this critical point. There are two concrete phases in behavior couples therapy. The first phase concentrates on offering substance-related interventions, and in the later phase, the therapist can consider relationship-focused interventions. The substance-focused interventions intend to foster abstinence of the substance in question. On the other hand, the phase that focuses on empowering couple relationship serves to restore effective communication and understanding between the partners (O'Farrell,& Fals-Stewart, 2006). Substance-Focused Interventions in Behavior Couple’s Therapy Therapists advise a couple to commit to a daily recovery contract that includes a ‘trust discussion’. It is important for the couple to recognize the significance of this contract and adhere to it. The daily recovery contract requires the couple to devote to reserve a few minutes each day for the patient to take the relevant medication to aid in abstinence. During this time, the patient declares his or her willingness to avoid taking the drugs that specific day and receives positive reinforcement from the partner (O'Farrell,& Fals-Stewart, 2006). However, a couple should refrain from discussing the any previous experiences brought about by substance abuse. Such sediments are a reserve for the weekly session with the therapist. Discussing such at home in the absence of the therapist to guide the couple has the potential of raising a conflict, and consequently a relapse. The therapist ensures that the couple practices how to play the different roles in the trust discussion in order to avoid inappropriate approaches. During the weekly meeting with the therapist, the couple gets an opportunity of reviewing their performance on the daily recovery contracts through analysis of the daily records. Moreover, the therapist considers weekly urine tests to monitor the level of the substance in the body. Some patients will require medication to foster their abstinence. Therefore, the medication plan becomes part of the daily recovery contract. The therapist must ensure that the prescription of medicine to the patient conforms to the Antabuse therapy. The main reason for ascertaining this is that not all patients have to take the medicine. The partner of the patient should strive to encourage the abuser to adhere to prescription specifications, and keep daily records (Spiegler, & Guevremont, 2010). However, the attitude exhibited by the partner in fulfilling the responsibilities of daily recovery contract determines the feelings of the patient towards therapy. The partner should not coerce the patient. On the contrary, he or she should exhibit genuine concern in helping his or her partner achieve abstinence. Moreover, the therapist should enlighten the couple on the effects of the drugs prescribed to the patient. Behavior couples therapy may also apply when two individuals married or living together have an addiction to substance use. After recognition of the need to seek professional assistance, the couple could embark on receiving detoxification prior to beginning the behavior therapy sessions. The couple can encourage each other on the daily recovery contract reassuring each other of the need to abstain. It is also important for the couple to reinforce each other and work together towards the determination towards complete abstinence. Since both individuals understand the challenges involved, they can motivate each other towards their intended goal despite the challenges on their way (Spiegler, & Guevremont, 2010). For behavior couple therapy to prove effective, other interventions must come into place to support he couple. During the weekly meetings with the therapist, the couple can identify situations and external factors that have the potential of fostering a relapse. After effective recognition of such factors, the therapist should help the couple define strategies to counter the pressure. The couple should develop confidence of contacting the therapist in cases of a possible relapse. Psychologists argue that counter interventions only prove effective if taken promptly. Therefore, the therapist should encourage the couple to seek help promptly, to avoid permanent relapse (Wakefield, 2006). Relationship-Focused Interventions in Behavior Couples Therapy Substance abuse poses serious threats to destroying the relationship between a couple and their children. If one’s partner suffers addiction to alcohol and drug abuse, the family suffers financially, emotionally and physically (Spiegler, & Guevremont, 2010). Due to the uncontrollable behavior and lack of responsibility from the abuser, trust between the individual, spouse, and his or her family diminishes. If the addict becomes violent, he may inflict his or family members with physical injuries. Therefore, effective therapy must rebuild the strained relationship between couples. After the patient and partner have made remarkable progress in the initial phase of substance-focused interventions, the therapist should trigger the start of the second phase. The primary objectives of this phase are reestablishing the key pillars of a healthy relationship. One of these pillars is effective communication. The therapist helps the couple learn the basics of communication such a as listening. The patient’s partner must recognize that there is a need for him or her to listen. Being able to listen presents the couple with an avenue of practicing other aspects needed to strengthen the relationship (Lowinson, 2005). For example, listening is an essential precondition for developing understanding in a relationship. The partner's overcoming addiction will need to recognize understanding from his or her partner in the entire process. Therefore, the therapist should address the need for the couple to learn and practice effective listening skills. Moreover, the relationship-focused intervention presents an opportunity for the therapist to inculcate skills of expressing emotions directly in the couple. Psychologists have identified that expressing feelings indirectly had multiple negative effects. In most cases, indirect expression of feelings conveys blame to the other individual and may increase the guilt of the partner working on abstinence. Therefore, therapists take their time to train the couple important skills of direct self-expression. After consistent practice, the couple can acquire the necessary skills in direct self-expression enabling them to communicate effectively (Spiegler, & Guevremont, 2010). In addition, the therapist takes time to encourage the couple to identify activities that can present them with an opportunity of spending more time together. Through a thorough brainstorming, the couple can settle on a variety of activities that can help them bond. Moreover, the therapy also includes setting aside days for the couple to express care to each other. During these days, the couple makes an effort to reassure each other of concern. This phase of the therapy can continue consistently, and has presented positive effects in previous applications (Lowinson, 2005). As described above, the behavior couples therapy can prove effective in helping an individual learn abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The fact that an individual works with his or her spouse presents immense motivation from the reinforcement in the recovery contract. If the couple works on all the aspects consistently and patiently, the abuser can succeed in quitting alcohol and substance abuse. Moreover, it presents the couple with a new realm of possibilities concerning their relationship. References Lowinson, J. H. (2005). Substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook. Philadelphia, Penns: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. O'Farrell, T. J., & Fals-Stewart, W. (2006). Behavioral couples therapy for alcoholism and drug abuse. New York: The Guilford Press. Spiegler, M. D., & Guevremont, D. C. (2010). Contemporary behavior therapy. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Wakefield, P. J. (2006). *Couple therapy for alcoholism: A cognitive-behavioral treatment manual. New York: Guilford. Read More