There are a number of topics people, and society in general, think of as ‘taboo’ and thus, feel very uncomfortable talking about. These appendices take a look at four of those topics:
(1) The effects of substance use on kids,
(2) the health implications of substance use and HIV,
(3) sex, and
(4) interpersonal violence.

This section will talk about the struggles and urges in recovery, and help define the reality that alcohol and drug free lifestyles and relationship enhancement are ongoing processes.

A satisfying relationship is based on each partner giving and receiving caring behaviors on a regular basis.

Communication becomes more difficult when the content of the message is unclear or confusing, when the conversation is very emotional, and when mistrust and distress take away from the positive and enforce negative aspects of the message.

Topics include treatment types; triggers and coping; and couple promises.

This section presents seven critical factors that can affect long-term close relationships.

In the 1950s and 1960s, substance abuse was viewed and treated as an individual problem. However, over the last several decades, there has been an increase in family-involved treatment for those individuals battling alcoholism and/or drug addictions.

The Biopsychosocial Model views the development and maintenance of substance use as influenced by a number of factors, including biological, psychological and social factors.

Over the last two decades, there has been a movement in the research community toward a global understanding of what defines addictive behavior. How we define addictive behavior is based in large part on the observation that there appears to be a number of common traits across extreme behaviors.

The Workbook is designed for couples struggling with the impact of substance abuse who want to engage in change driven behaviors that can help to improve relationship happiness and satisfaction, reduce substance-using behaviors, and improve overall individual and family functioning. In addition, this workbook can be a very useful tool to anyone who is working with or knows families and couples where there are issues of substance abuse, relationship distress, family conflict, and communication problems.