|
 Behavioral
couple’s therapy is one option couples can utilize to heal when
one or both is abusing substances. When couples participate in
therapy they have lower divorce and separation rates in the
first two years according to Dr. William Fals-Stewart, an
investigator and researcher at Research Institute on Addictions.
Dr. Caroline Easton, an assistant professor
of substance abuse and violence services at Yale University says
that behavioral couple’s therapy is effective for decreasing
substance abuse and domestic violence when both partners in a
relationship are motivated to participate in treatment.
North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic
Violence
http://www.nccadv.org/service_providers.htm
A recent study done by Dr. William Fals-Stewart
showed that brief relationship therapy “is as effective as
standard behavioral couple’s therapy in reducing the number of
days of heavy drinking and almost as effective at increasing
relationship satisfaction among couples.” Because it involves
fewer sessions brief relationship therapy can be provided at a
lower cost. Dr. Fals-Stewart cautions that couples with more
extreme relationship problems or with a partner with long term
alcohol dependence would need additional treatment.
Most effective substance abuse treatment is
likely to include the family in counseling. According to the
National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS),
of the 280 substance abuse treatment facilities in North
Carolina, 212 (76%) provide family counseling and 94 of the 280
provide domestic violence counseling services.
Just as the addict or alcoholic is often
advised to attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous on
a regular basis in order to sustain his or her recovery, the
spouse or partner is often advised by substance abuse
professionals to attend Al-Anon or Nar-Anon. These twelve step
support groups are free, are held daily in some areas, and are
confidential. Partners can talk with others who have also spent
their time and energy trying to “fix” their partner. Al-Anon and
Nar-Anon provide “non-professional, mutual support groups where
members share their experience, strength, and hope.” According
to a survey conducted in 2003 almost half of Al-Anon members
have a current spouse who is an alcoholic. In that same study
78% of all Al-Anon members reported that a personal
recommendation was an important factor influencing them to
attend their first meeting. 40% of Al-Anons said that a
referral from a professional was what brought them to Al-Anon.
2006 is the 55th Anniversary of
Al-Anon. Currently 26,000 groups meet in 115 countries. To find
a meeting one can call toll free 1-888-4AL-ANON or visit
www.al-anon.alateen.org. To find a Nar-Anon meeting call
(800) 477-6291
or visit
http://nar-anon.org/northcarolina.htm.
The Next
Step
Editor: Leanne
Murray
Writer: Cathy Swing
Designer: Virginia Hart
Partnership for a Drug-Free
NC
665 W. Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
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