Behavioral couples therapy for male substance-abusing patients: effects on relationship adjustment and drug-using behavior

J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996 Oct;64(5):959-72. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.64.5.959.

Abstract

Married or cohabitating substance-abusing patients (N = 80) who were entering individual outpatient treatment, most of whom were referred by the criminal justice system (n = 68; 85%), were randomly assigned to a no-couples-treatment control group (n = 40) or to 12 weekly sessions of adjunctive behavioral couples therapy (BCT; n = 40). Drug use and relationship adjustment measures were collected at pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. Couples who received BCT as part of individual-based treatment had better relationship outcomes, in terms of more positive dyadic adjustment and less time separated, than couples in which husbands received individual-based treatment only. Husbands in the BCT condition also reported fewer days of drug use, longer periods of abstinence, fewer drug-related arrests, and fewer drug-related hospitalizations through the 12-month follow-up period than husbands receiving individual-based treatment only. However, some of the drug use and relationship adjustment differences between these groups dissipated over the course of the follow-up period.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Behavior Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs*
  • Male
  • Marital Therapy / methods*
  • Marriage / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychotropic Drugs*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs
  • Psychotropic Drugs