People recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) or persistent mental health issues benefit from the support of friends and family. Partner support is critical during early recovery. According to Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, “[S]upportive relationships with caring family, partners, and friends—including individuals who do not use substances themselves—have proven to be helpful in abstaining and maintaining sobriety.” Laguna Shores Recovery encourages families to engage in recovery by providing practical and emotional support to loved ones in early recovery. 

Partner Support Reduces Stress During Treatment

Individuals struggling with SUD and co-occurring mental health issues often face multiple stressors during treatment. Partner involvement in treatment and recovery reduces stress and anxiety. In addition, significant others act as a temporary buffer between their loved ones and potential triggers at home. The care team assists families in finding healthy ways to recover together. 

Partner support increases the effectiveness of treatment by doing the following: 

• Decreasing feelings of guilt, fear, or ambivalence regarding treatment and recovery
• Ensuring the care team knows about potential issues before they cause a problem
• Providing positivity and strong social support at home

Often during the initial stages of treatment, clients focus on their goals, needs, and recovery. The first few weeks of treatment may include less family involvement than later stages. However, partner support is essential in early recovery and during the transition to aftercare. Outpatient treatment is ideal for partners who can provide accountability, stability, and encouragement to their loved ones.

Healthy Relationships and Sober Living

Recovering from substance misuse doesn’t end when a client leaves the program. Everyday routines and habits must change to support long-term sobriety. Partners reduce the risk of relapse and make it easier for clients to maintain a sober lifestyle. Family therapy and other forms of treatment strengthen the bonds between partners and help them grow together.

Healthy relationships do the following: 

• Provide individuals in recovery with motivation and inspiration
• Reduce the risk of relapse by increasing accountability
• Ensure individuals in treatment feel confident and capable of recovery 

Validation, accountability, and emotional support play a vital role in partner relationships during recovery. People who feel loved, trusted, and valued have more reasons to continue moving forward and improving their ability to function day-to-day. The support of a loved one often has an immensely positive effect on mental health and recovery from substance misuse. 

Finding a Healthy Balance in Your Relationship

Individuals in treatment must balance their partner’s health, joint happiness, and recovery from substance misuse or mental health issues. Balancing the needs of everyone involved may feel overwhelming at times. However, clients can rely on their care team at Laguna Shores Recovery for guidance, resources, and support. In family therapy, clients and their partners improve balance within the relationship. Therapy helps couples find common ground and unity during challenging moments in recovery.

A few of the ways couples find balance during recovery include: 

• Taking time to check in with one another and discuss any concerns 
• Actively working to strengthen the relationship by engaging in mutually enjoyable activities 
• Taking steps to reduce stressors within the home
• Acknowledging how substance misuse has affected the relationship

Recovery from substance misuse and co-occurring mental health issues takes time. Couples often need individual counseling and support from peers to recover.

The Importance of Partner Support During Recovery

Partners who offer empathy, compassion, and nonjudgmental support make the home environment more healthy and ensure their loved ones feel more confident in their ability to recover. Overcoming internalized stigmas, trauma, triggers, cravings, and intrusive thoughts takes a lot of determination. Having someone there to cheer the client on increases self-confidence and self-efficacy. In addition, a partner can provide insights about potential triggers. According to the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, “Discussing situations, thoughts, and feeling associated with urges helps identify potential triggers or cues for alcohol or drug use.” Family support during recovery ensures clients feel supported at home and during outpatient treatment. 

Partner Support During Treatment and Long-Term Sobriety

Treatment is a big step toward long-term sobriety. However, treatment programs are not cures for the disease. Instead, they provide clients with the knowledge, skills, and resources to manage their condition independently. Partners can help clients maintain the positive changes they establish during treatment. 

Partner support plays a crucial role in long-term sobriety for many people and ensures the following: 

• Access to positive support 24/7 
• Additional accountability 
• Outside monitoring of mental and physical health 

Often, loved ones notice changes in behavior and thoughts before they become apparent to the care team or client. Usually, partners recognize potential signs of relapse and provide the necessary support to help their significant other avoid backsliding. Laguna Shores Recovery uses evidence-based therapies to help partners connect and build a deeper bond during treatment. 

Mental health disorders can cause people to feel isolated and alone. Partner support and peer engagement are excellent ways to reduce feelings of loneliness and overall stress during recovery. Individuals in treatment for SUD often struggle with feelings of guilt or shame. Attending family therapy and building a deeper connection with loved ones reduces negativity and increases the effectiveness of treatment. Laguna Shores Recovery ensures partners have access to the tools and resources they need to establish healthy routines and support one another. Outpatient treatment allows clients more freedom. Having loved ones hold them accountable during nights and weekends decreases the risk of relapse. To learn more about our programs, call us today at 954-688-5806.