Tips for Dating in Recovery

Dating After Recovery

One of the typical questions we get from many people who reach out to Resurgence is whether or not dating in recovery is possible. The answer is that dating in recovery is possible, however, it’s important that you have a solid foundation in your sobriety before it’s something that you consider. Furthermore, understanding various aspects of addiction and recovery, such as ‘what is transfer addiction,’ can significantly impact how you navigate through relationships and personal development during recovery. One of the things that you will learn when you come to Resurgence is how to put yourself and your recovery first so that you can focus on developing healthy relationships with those around you, including the people that you may be interested in dating, while keeping insightful inquiries like what is transfer addiction in mind to safeguard your journey toward sustained sobriety.

Be Honest About Your Recovery

Some people make the critical mistake of believing that their addiction recovery is something that they have to hide. Keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily the first conversation that you need to have with someone new. Instead, you can get to know them a little bit and pick a time that helps you feel not as awkward. Keep in mind that if your relationship is going to be successful, it’s important that your partner knows these aspects of your life so that you’re not put in a position of potentially jeopardizing the hard work that you’ve put into your addiction recovery. If your date doesn’t understand the fact that addiction is a disease or you don’t feel as though you’re getting the response or the support that you were hoping for, you may want to reconsider another date in the future.

Put Your Sobriety First

Regardless of how much you may like your date, your sobriety should always come first. You may want to try to plan dates that will not put you in a position where you feel as though you’re being tempted to use your substance of choice. For instance, if you’re new to your sobriety, going to a club or a bar may not be the best place for you. Instead, you can try to plan sober-friendly dates like going mini-golfing or going for a hike.

The person that you date should always be supportive of your decisions regarding your recovery. If you share that you’re going to be attending a meeting on a certain date and that person attempts to talk you out of going, you should think twice about the direction that your new relationship is leading you because this response may be hurting your long-term sobriety.

Take it Slow

There are many people that make the mistake of jumping into a new relationship too quickly. It’s important to remember that while dating in recovery may be a good thing for you, it should never overshadow your commitment to your recovery. You are still in the beginning stages of learning more about yourself. Therefore, until you feel comfortable with yourself, it will be nearly impossible to feel comfortable with any other person. At the end of the day, it’s important to not only take it slow when it comes to new relationships after your time in addiction recovery but it’s just as important to be kind to yourself during the process.

Call Resurgence Behavioral Health for Addiction Treatment

If you find yourself struggling with an addiction, the Resurgence team is here to help you. We understand the stress that is often associated with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. We provide our clients with numerous options to overcome their addiction. Regardless of whether you would like to take advantage of our inpatient treatment plan or you would prefer to learn more about our outpatient options. Give us a call today at (855) 458-0050 for more information about our recovery options. 

Josh Chandler
After growing up in Chicago and North Carolina, Josh chose to get help with substance use disorder and mental health in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than five years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for four years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. Josh remains passionate about the field because he understands that one phone call can alter the course of a person's life.

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