Behavior Couple Therapy

Overcome Research Literature Review: Behavior Couple Therapy for Substance Abuse

Siriporn Jaroentharakun

St. Mary’s University

Dr. Jason Northrup

December 07, 2015

Behavior Couple Therapy for Substance Abuse

Introduction

Couples in which a partner abuse substance are often very unhappy. These partners are often more unhappy than couples who don't have problems with substance. As substance abuse gets worse, it starts to take more and more time away from the couple, taking its toll by creating an emotional distance between the partners that is difficult to overcome. These couples also report that they fight and argue a great deal, which sometimes can become violent. It is often the fighting itself that can create an environment

That is likely to mean that substance abuse will need to stop and the problems in the relationship will need to be identified and addressed. The better thing to do is to get treatment as soon as possible, or at least call and ask about treatments

Theoretical perspectives for substance abuse with couple therapy There are many different treatments available that can be effective in reducing or eliminating problems with alcohol or other drugs. Some treatments involve individual counseling, others involve group counseling, and still others involve self-help meetings and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotic Anonymous. It is worth it to enter treatment for benefit to everyone in family and person who is substance abuse

However, this is a very common problem. It turns out that alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs have help for concerned family members and work with this very issue. They can give an ideas and information on motivating person who is your beloved to consider getting help. It is helpful in getting family members who are reluctant to seek help to ultimately enter

Behavior couples therapy (BCT) The purpose of Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) is to build support for abstinence and to improve relationship functioning among married or cohabiting individuals seeking help for alcoholism or drug abuse (Fals-Stewart & O’Farrell, 2000). BCT works directly to increase relationship factors conducive to abstinence. A behavioral approach assumes that family members can reward abstinence, and that alcohol- and drug-abusing patients in happier, more cohesive relationships with better communication have a lower risk of relapse.

Theoretical Process Marital and family problems (for example, poor communication and problem solving, habitual arguing, and financial stressors) often set the stage for excessive drinking or drug use. There are many ways in which family responses to the substance abuse may then inadvertently promote subsequent abuse. In many instances, for example, substance abuse serves relationship needs (at least in the short term), as when it facilitates the expression of emotion and affection through caretaking of a partner suffering from a