Sovereign Health Explores Relationship Dynamics for Newly Sober Partners

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, announces a new article, "When One Plus One Equals Addiction," written by Jennifer Fallon of LifeZette, featuring Donna Hugh, Program Director at Sovereign Health of Los Angeles. In the article, Ms. Hugh explores the relationship dynamics between a newly sober partner, who has detoxed in a controlled environment and returned home, and a partner who has continued using. As noted in the article, this may create conflict between the couple.

As Ms. Hugh explains, the key for a newly sober partner to remain clean in this high-risk atmosphere is to develop a network of supporters. "When they realize their partner hasn't stopped and maybe doesn't intend to stop or can't stop, they have to put the oxygen mask over their own mouth first. You have to save yourself, or you're no good for anyone else. As a sick person, you can't help them if you decide to collude with them and become sick."

Addicts in recovery must work to "resist the urge to isolate." Medicated detox when combined with support groups has the highest recovery rates. Ultimately, a spouse's choices can only have as much influence over an individual's choices as that person allows. If the sober partner discovers a stash of drugs, it could be a tremendous trigger to relapse.

Every day, an estimated 78 people die from opioid overdose. Many more are likely dying from other opioid-related causes, such as violence, suicide, disease and accidents. The costs to society and levels of human suffering caused by these drugs are immeasurable.

Ms. Hugh remains optimistic about couples going through treatment, either separately or together, and believes a continued example of sobriety will help spouses who continue using to find the motivation to change.

"It's attraction rather than promotion," she said, "by seeing their partner get well, enjoying life, having freedom from the bondage of a drug." She added that she has witnessed this in her own line of work as an interventionist. "[These relationships] survive all the time. We have all kinds of success stories."

Sovereign Health operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. The facilities are fully licensed and have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by The Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field.

About Sovereign Health

Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities. For more information, visit www.SovHealth.com.

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