Many couples have at least one person, perhaps both, who have had an active addiction and now are in recovery. Couples in the Rogue Valley need communication and conflict resolution skills in order to help maintain sobriety. Difficulty with your partner or spouse furthers stress, depression or anxiety and increases the chance of relapse.

The Dilemma of the Alcoholic Marriage, an Al-Anon booklet, discusses the communication issues that couples face in recovery. These are issues any couple dealing with depression, affairs, anger work through.

The skills of being aware of yourself and your feelings (learned in AA or Al-Anon) contribute to relationship skills. Learning to communicate without attacking, staying calm and working together in problem solving is important. Couples work supports recovery so that you can move on and learn skills and attitudes that create a peaceful relationship. The partner can learn to not be preoccupied and worried about the relationship as geniune fondness and admiration returns with the intimacy.

Get The Dilemma of the Alcoholic Marriage if you are in a relationship with recovery from a substance. It has sound experience, quotes from others and communication guidance. Couples counseling can remove blocks to using communication techniques, getting at beliefs that might be hindering developing a close, loving relationship.

Barbara Masssey LMFT

Parkplace Counseling Center

541-245-9610 ext. 3

Medford Oregon