There are no words to describe how difficult it is to be in a romantic relationship and/or marriage in which both parties are misusing drugs, especially when children are involved. Most couples will not come to treatment, if this means that they have to separate from their romantic partner. Thus, we allow certain couples to admit to our treatment center. Couples are provided with preassessments to determine as to whether coming to treatment as a couple will be beneficial or detrimental to recovery and mental wellness. We provide “Couples in Recovery” group counseling and separate couples counseling sessions to help create boundary setting, individuation, fail safe plans, and a couple’s relapse prevention plan. Please note that couples are placed in different primary groups with different therapists, and they are not housed in the same apartment, as we want to help each individual work on himself/herself, while also feeling safe that their romantic partner is receiving treatment. Therapists and case managers work diligently with romantic partners and married individuals who have custody issues, and individuals are helped to explore how they would like to arrange for childcare in the present and future.
We have found that male and female bans do not work in treatment, and we are all too familiar with individuals being kicked out of treatment centers for “coupling,” which only causes people to relapse and return to active drug use. We do not condone “coupling.” However, it is a natural and human experience for some individuals to develop “feelings” for another person, while in treatment, as bonds are quickly formed related to divulging personal information in such a short amount of time. Instead of clients hiding in secrecy about their “feelings,” which only perpetuates relapse prone behavior, we encourage clients to be honest about their feelings, in order to process their feelings in therapy, as oftentimes, clients use other people or focus on what feels good in the moment only to deflect from their true issues. As opposed to punishing individuals as they attempt to “feel good,” after feeling “so bad,” due to a recent history drug misuse, we take a harm reduction approach; punishing someone for attempting to “feel good,” causes individuals to feel as though they are continuing to “fail” and increases relapse risk. We encourage processing feelings and exploring the need to fill voids with people to replace drugs.
Individuals who choose to “couple” while in treatment, after meeting in treatment, is often referred to as “rehab romance.” We find that most people who meet in treatment do not stay in relationships while in treatment, as they are able to be honest and openly process attempting to get into a relationship, and then, breaking up in a relationship while in treatment without relapse; this is an important life skill, life lesson, and coping tool to be used while in treatment. Individuals are allowed to practice real life scenarios in treatment, in order to allow clients to make better decisions post treatment.
due to the importance of working an honest recovery program, we do not allow sexual behaviors, and acting out on sexual behaviors could result in severe consequences up to administrative discharge. Public displays of affection (PDA) and behaving in a sexual manner in a community of people can be distracting to others, and we expect individuals to honor an agreement to not behave in sexual manners, in order to respect their peers and their treatment community. Being in treatment is a special time to focus on healing and learning skills to progress in life and using sex as a means to escape from feelings that may feel uncomfortable, in the moment, can impede the recovery process.
Galt Ocean was very helpful in assisting me in my recovery I learned a lot about myself and others in the groups that were provided. The staff was amazing I want to express a special thank you to Jessi the Case Manager here for providing not just help with my personal issues but also being that lending ear when things were rough, thank you to Danielle who was there to help me see things in a different perspective. A special shout out to Sherelle the Resident tech she was always so helpful and understanding. My time here is up and I’m nervous and excited to start my next chapter in life. It will be a bitter/ sweet departure but I will take all the help and advice that was giving.
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