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Surviving Your First Sober Valentine’s Day in Recovery

Opening Valentine's Day box
 

For some people, Valentine’s Day is a welcome day of chocolates, flowers, and romance.

For others, Valentine’s Day can be a dreaded reminder of their single status. Especially if you are in early recovery, you should take some time before dating in recovery, so being fresh out of rehab, single, and newly sober may feel overwhelming. While you might have previously let these feelings lead you to drink an entire bottle of wine or get high, Valentine’s Day shouldn’t cost you your sobriety.

Tips for Spending Valentine’s Day Sober & Alone

Just because you are single this Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you should drown your sorrows in alcohol or relapse. While this day can be depressing and tempting, it doesn’t have to be. As a PA drug rehab center, we are sharing a few tips for surviving your first Valentine’s Day in recovery.

Don’t Glorify Being in A Relationship

Although being in a relationship is often glorified, it is not all smiles and sunshine like Instagram would have you believe. Many relationships can actually be toxic and harmful to your mental health. Especially if you just completed an addiction outpatient program, relationships and dating may do more harm than good. There are many benefits to being single so focus on them instead.

Be Your Own Valentine

Instead of making a last-ditch effort to get a Valentine and hurting your recovery, be your own Valentine. Especially since early recovery is a good time to fall back in love with yourself, take this day to celebrate the progress you already made and what a big step your first sober Valentine’s Day is. Treat yourself to a piece of cake, get your nails done, or buy yourself flowers.

Unplug

If seeing endless photos of couples on your feed is going to make you feel upset or tempt you to relapse, go on a social media detox. Do not open your social media on Valentine’s Day, or the days surrounding the holiday, and instead, focus on more productive tasks like checking a few items off of your to-do list.

Stay Distracted

If you feel that Valentine’s Day could lead you to relapse, you will want to distract yourself. Instead of sitting at home alone twiddling your thumbs, there are plenty of other things you can do. Go for a hike, journal, take a bath, read a book, or try a new recipe.

Lean on Support

Having a good support system is an important part of addiction recovery no matter the occasion, and when it comes to more trying days like Valentine’s Day, it is important to rely on this support. Spend time with your other sober and single friends or attend a recovery meeting. Being around others in the same situation as you will help you see that Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be that bad.

A sober Valentine’s Day alone doesn’t need to be depressing or cost you your sobriety. This Valentine’s Day, focus on staying sober and your continued journey.

If you or someone you love is battling a drug or alcohol addiction, it is time to get professional help. Our PHP drug rehab in Philly could be the answer you are looking for.




To learn more about the various treatment programs we offer at Banyan Philadelphia and our facility, reach out to us today at 888-280-4763.


 
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.