Many challenges accompany life in recovery post-treatment. You may have to find a new job or place to live. Most likely, you will need to find a new circle of friends who refrain from substance use too. However, another challenge you'll have to tackle is dating. That includes determining if you should date someone else in recovery.
Dating in recovery can be tough to navigate. Many do not know when to start dating, who they should be associating with, and how to maintain sobriety during the process. For that reason, many people wonder if their dating pool is more limited to others in recovery.
Continue reading to learn more about the challenges of dating in recovery, how to decide which partners are best, and how our team at NorthStar Transitions can help you navigate dating situations today.
As mentioned, dating is only one of the many challenges you will have to cope with while in recovery. However, because of the emotional distress it often causes, it can be particularly challenging to navigate while in recovery. But what specific challenges should you expect as you begin navigating the dating world post-treatment?
We must remember that all social relationships can have some influence over substance use and recovery. However, some of the challenges you may face specifically as you start to date someone new in recovery include:
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how you will react to some of these challenges while recovering from substance use disorder (SUD). You may become triggered, experience intense cravings, and start down a dangerous path. That's why it's necessary to try determining when the best time to date someone new is while in recovery.
While there may always be challenges when dating in recovery, there are factors that may increase the risks. For example, dating in early recovery can be dangerous. When you are still trying to build a foundation for your sobriety, dating someone new may not be such a good idea. You must gain more confidence in yourself and a recovery plan before adding in the complex emotions of dating. By waiting, you may even be able to enjoy the new relationship more without worrying about it impacting your newfound sobriety.
With that being said, there is also no one way to determine the right time to start dating. It ultimately becomes a judgment call. Your unique experience and recovery circumstances will impact when you start dating. The best time to start is when you have a solid recovery foundation, a strong support system, and an effective relapse prevention plan in place. However, timing is not the only variable that affects your dating life in recovery. You may also experience a limited dating pool as you navigate dating in recovery.
Being in a relationship can be one of the most beautiful experiences. Doing life with a partner brings love, comfort, and safety and can even be essential to healing during recovery. However, as most of us know, it comes with complications.
One complication is whether or not your dating pool is limited. Sober dating simply means dating without substance use, and it is practiced by individuals in recovery and people who want to live a sober life.
The benefits of sober dating are that you can create a meaningful bond with a person with the same lifestyle and do not have to worry about exposure to drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, the downfall is that not everyone practices sober dating. If having a partner who obtains from substance use is a high priority for you, it does limit your dating pool. But that does not have to be a bad thing, necessarily.
Another question to consider when sober dating is whether or not you should date someone also in recovery.
Having qualms about dating someone else in recovery is normal. What happens if you relapse? Will it impact their recovery or vice versa? Is it dangerous in terms of transference? Will dating someone else in recovery increase both of your risks for relapse? Asking these questions is okay. However, there may also be benefits to dating someone in recovery, including:
You must determine for yourself if dating someone else in recovery is a good option. The most critical thing is that both of your recovery remain intact.
Our treatment and alumni programs at NorthStar Transitions can help you navigate the challenges of dating someone else in recovery. Through these programs, you can learn the necessary skills to meet new people and foster healthy romantic relationships in a meaningful and substance-free way.
Many factors can harm or help the recovery process, including our social relationships. Romantic relationships and dating, in particular, can become exceptionally complex for individuals in recovery. Dating too soon can increase the risk of relapse, lead to unhealthy relationships with toxic individuals, or cause you to neglect your sobriety and wellness. But is it a good idea to date someone else in recovery? There are pros and cons, but by dating someone else in recovery, you will have a partner who understands what it means to live with SUD and who you can connect with without the presence of any substances. For help navigating the challenges of dating in recovery, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 today.
