Getting Back in the Saddle: Are You Ready for Dating in Recovery?

Are You Ready for Dating in Recovery?

In rehab, they usually advise people against dating in early recovery for various reasons.

Not only can dating be an added stressor that could lead to relapse, but also, many people do not know who they are without drugs or alcohol, and dating could cause them to develop an unhealthy attachment to someone because of it. 

Signs You Are Ready for Dating in Recovery

Although dating in early recovery may be a big no, it is not forever. If you are more than a year out of residential addiction treatment and still sober, you may be flirting with the idea of getting back out there, but how do you know when you are ready to date in addiction recovery? Your honest answers to these questions should let you know whether it is time to get back in the dating game. 

Are You Looking for Someone to Take Care of You?

It is nice to have someone there for you and someone to count on, but dating to find someone to take care of you is not the answer. It is important that you can stand on your own two feet emotionally and financially before you bring someone else into the picture.

How Do You Handle Drug Triggers, Especially Emotional Ones?

Unfortunately, dating may come with some let downs and possible heartbreaks. If you are still struggling to manage your emotions or you find yourself craving drugs or alcohol when your emotions get overwhelming, you are not ready to date yet. Especially if you underwent mental health treatment during recovery because of co-occurring disorders, you may not be ready to handle the emotional pitfalls of a heartbreak without resorting back to drugs or alcohol.

Are You Ready to Divulge Your Sobriety?

If you are uncomfortable talking about your sobriety, then dating in recovery may not be for you. Dating is about being honest and getting to know someone. While you do not need to go into every detail about hitting rock bottom or your struggles with withdrawal during your alcohol detox program on the first date, eventually, you will have to tell the person you are dating about being sober. If this seems unfathomable or you still get tripped up whenever someone asks you if you would like a drink, you may want to hold off dating in sobriety for now.

Whether you have been abusing opioids yourself or know someone who is, get help now before the problem escalates and becomes fatal. At Banyan Stuart, we offer a synthetic drug detox program to help individuals who have become addicted to these stronger drugs. Trying to detox on your own is not only difficult but can also be dangerous to your health. Take precautions and go through this process safely. 

Are You Trying to Fill the Void Left Behind by Addiction?

Because addiction can consume your life, getting sober can leave you feeling empty and like there is a void that needs to be filled. You should fill this void with work, community service, exercise, mindfulness, and various hobbies. Trying to fill this void with a romantic relationship can lead to dependency issues and a toxic relationship that is doomed to fail.

Do You Know Who You Are?

While you may not have everything figured out yet, you should have a decent idea of who you are. Many people in early recovery struggle to know themselves without drugs and alcohol because it became such a huge part of their identity when they were an addict. When they jump into dating in addiction recovery too quickly, they may lose themselves to that other person. If you can confidently say that you know who you are and you love yourself, then you may be ready to start dating someone in recovery.