Recovery is a special time you owe yourself. As someone who has finished addiction treatment and is in recovery, you should know by now that this is your time for self-love. You take care of yourself, this time without the crutch of drugs or alcohol. You also spend this time to reflect, reestablish connection, build structure, and basically put your life back on track.
And this is why many rehabilitation professionals professionals would recommend a no-dating policy strictly within the first year of recovery. However, if the affairs of the heart can’t be stopped, then you just have to be smart about dating in recovery.
Here are some useful tips to help you date safer, smarter, and sober while in recovery.
Tips for Dating While in Recovery
Consider sobriety first. If you’re fresh out of rehab, you may want to consider having a “solid” sober time, free from distractions. This way, you can focus more on yourself while you adjust to your new lifestyle, your new life. You also have to take time to learn how to cope with daily life and heal yourself–mind and body.
Continue therapy. Just because your schedule is not filled with dates doesn’t mean your 12 Step meetings and therapy or counselling must be bumped out of your calendar. Continue speaking to your counselor and attend after care groups as well as 12-step meetings because you still need the support of your recovery group. After all, recovery is an on-going process that you need for yourself and if you prioritize that, everything else will follow.
Take it slow. Now that you’re in recovery, don’t feel like you need to rush into anything. Getting into a relationship should not be a way for you to divert yourselves from cravings that occur in early recovery. You may want to feel instant gratification that a new relationship might give you, but you have to discern if the relationship is a real thing. Tell your partner to take it slow and avoid making big decisions during your first year in recovery.
Be straightforward about your recovery. It’s natural to be apprehensive when it comes to talking about your commitment to sobriety or your recovery journey. You may have fears of being judged, embarrassed, shamed, or simply turn away people. However, lies won’t help your case especially if you are to go out with someone and build a romantic relationship with them. They eventually have to know it so they can also offer their support in your recovery.
Make your sobriety your priority. Even if you’re in a new relationship, you still have to prioritize your sobriety. A person who loves you and cares for you shouldn’t have to make you choose between them and your sobriety.
A new relationship can cause you to shift your priorities, but whatever happens, you have to talk to your partner about your commitment to recovery. Let them understand your commitment to your program.
Romantic relationships can be stressful, especially if you’re in one during early recovery. Proceed with caution, and remember, you have to put your sobriety first.
Hello. And Bye.