Behavioral Couples Therapy for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (BCT) is a substance abuse treatment approach based on the assumptions that (1) intimate partners can reward abstinence and (2) reducing relationship distress lessens risk for relapse. In BCT, the therapist works with both the person who is abusing substances and his or her partner to build a relationship that supports abstinence. Program components include a recovery or sobriety contract between the partners and therapist; activities and assignments designed to increase positive feelings, shared activities, and constructive communication; and relapse prevention planning. Partners generally attend 15-20 hour-long sessions over 5-6 months. A typical session follows this sequence: (1) the therapist asks about any substance use since the last session; (2) the couple discusses compliance with the recovery contract; (3) the couple presents and discusses homework assigned at the last session; (4) the couple discusses any relationship problems since the last session; (5) the therapist presents new material; and (6) the therapist assigns new homework.