Introduction: The Importance of a Thoughtful Intake Process
Entering detox is a significant step toward recovery—and when both members of a couple are beginning this journey together, the process requires even more care, structure, and consideration. At Trinity Behavioral Health, the intake process for detox for couples is designed to ensure the physical safety, emotional readiness, and relational dynamics of each individual and the couple as a unit. This ensures both participants are entering treatment in the most effective, personalized, and supportive way possible.
The intake process is more than paperwork or a quick consultation—it is a multi-layered assessment that informs every aspect of a couple’s treatment plan. From physical health evaluations to psychological assessments and relational screenings, the intake phase is essential for tailoring detox to fit the unique needs of each couple.
Initial Contact and Pre-Screening
The journey typically begins with a phone call or online inquiry. Trinity Behavioral Health’s admissions team is available 24/7 to provide information, answer questions, and initiate the pre-screening process. This initial conversation includes:
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A brief history of each partner’s substance use
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Relationship status and history
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Any immediate medical or psychiatric concerns
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Insurance verification or payment options
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Readiness and motivation levels for treatment
This stage is not meant to make clinical decisions but to determine if the couple is a potential fit for the program and if urgent care or hospitalization is needed first.
Comprehensive Medical Assessment
Once the couple is accepted into the program and arrives at Trinity Behavioral Health, the intake process begins in full. One of the first steps is a comprehensive medical evaluation for each individual, which includes:
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Vital signs and overall physical health screening
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Lab work to identify substances in the system
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Identification of co-occurring medical conditions (e.g., liver disease, diabetes, infections)
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Pregnancy testing (if applicable)
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Medication needs for managing withdrawal symptoms
Medical professionals use this information to develop individualized detox protocols, ensuring that both partners are medically stabilized in a safe and structured environment.
Mental Health Evaluation
The mental health evaluation is another key component of intake. Trinity’s licensed psychologists or psychiatrists assess each partner independently to identify:
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Co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder)
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Suicide or self-harm risks
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Cognitive impairments or trauma history
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Emotional stability and capacity for couples therapy
This step is essential for designing the therapeutic portion of detox and determining whether joint therapy is appropriate during the early phase of treatment.
Relationship Assessment and Safety Screening
Unlike individual detox, couples detox includes an extra layer of assessment focused on the relationship itself. Trinity Behavioral Health conducts a relational intake to evaluate:
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Communication patterns
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Conflict history
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Trust and support levels
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Intimacy and attachment style
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Any history of domestic violence or emotional abuse
If there is a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) or severe emotional manipulation, Trinity may recommend separate detox arrangements for the safety and wellbeing of both partners. This part of intake is handled with sensitivity and confidentiality, ensuring that each partner can speak freely.
Consent, Boundaries, and Confidentiality Agreements
Because couples treatment involves navigating shared and individual experiences, Trinity ensures that both partners understand and agree to the following:
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Consent to individual and joint treatment
No one is forced into couples therapy—both must agree. -
Respect for confidentiality
What’s discussed in individual therapy is private unless shared voluntarily in joint sessions. -
Personal boundaries
Clear boundaries are established around time alone, therapy sessions, and conflict management.
These agreements lay the groundwork for a respectful and supportive detox experience.
Individualized Detox Planning
Based on the intake data, Trinity Behavioral Health creates customized detox plans for each partner. These include:
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Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options, if needed
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Sleep, nutrition, and hydration schedules
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Therapeutic activities tailored to each person’s emotional needs
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Crisis management or additional psychiatric support, if required
Although they are entering detox together, each partner is treated as a unique individual with distinct challenges and strengths.
Orientation and Environment Overview
Once the intake assessments are completed and treatment plans are in place, the couple is oriented to the facility. Trinity provides:
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A tour of the detox center
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Introductions to medical staff and therapists
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Scheduling overview for therapy sessions and wellness activities
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Guidelines for visitation, privacy, and shared spaces
If the couple is approved for co-habitation or shared accommodations, staff members ensure it is a safe, respectful, and supportive setup. If not, they are housed separately but are allowed scheduled interactions through therapy and communal activities.
Initiating Therapeutic Engagement
Even during detox, Trinity emphasizes early therapeutic involvement. Depending on clinical recommendations, the couple may begin:
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Individual therapy within 24–48 hours
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Couples therapy after initial stabilization
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Group therapy or educational workshops
This early intervention model promotes emotional awareness and strengthens the couple’s foundation for continued recovery beyond detox.
Communication With Loved Ones and Support Systems
During intake, the admissions team will also ask each partner to list supportive contacts who can be informed of their progress (with consent). Trinity Behavioral Health helps couples reconnect with:
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Family members (if appropriate)
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Children
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Legal representatives
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Sponsors or previous treatment providers
This network becomes especially important during the transition to post-detox care, ensuring accountability and support beyond the clinical setting.
Discharge Planning Begins Early
Although detox is often short-term (5–10 days), Trinity starts discharge planning during intake. This ensures there is a clear path forward and may include:
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Recommendations for inpatient or outpatient rehab
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Ongoing couples or family therapy
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Housing or sober living referrals
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Employment or legal assistance resources
Creating this continuum of care is vital for preventing relapse and supporting long-term relational and individual recovery.
Conclusion
The intake process for detox for couples at Trinity Behavioral Health is thorough, compassionate, and structured to meet the unique challenges of joint recovery. It ensures that both partners are physically stabilized, emotionally supported, and relationally assessed before progressing into shared therapeutic environments. By addressing individual and relationship needs from day one, Trinity sets the stage for a detox experience that promotes healing on all fronts—mind, body, and relationship. Whether a couple is just beginning to understand their addictions or committed to long-term change, a strong intake process ensures that their recovery journey starts with clarity, safety, and support.
Read: Is detox for couples safe if there’s a history of domestic violence?
Read: What’s the intake process like for detox for couples?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can both partners be admitted at the same time?
A: Yes, couples can be admitted simultaneously, but each person must undergo individual assessments to ensure safety and treatment appropriateness.
Q: What happens if one of us isn’t ready for detox?
A: Trinity encourages both partners to seek treatment, but if one person isn’t ready, the other can still proceed individually. Staff will offer support and revisit joint care options later.
Q: Is the intake process confidential between partners?
A: Yes. Each person has a confidential intake, especially regarding medical and psychological evaluations. Therapists only share information during joint sessions with mutual consent.
Q: Can we stay in the same room during detox?
A: Possibly. Trinity evaluates whether co-accommodation is safe and therapeutic. Some couples may stay together, while others are housed separately for clinical reasons.
Q: How long does the intake process take?
A: Intake generally takes 24 to 48 hours to complete fully. During this time, medical stabilization begins, and initial therapy may be scheduled based on clinical needs.