Dating in addiction recovery can be very beneficial to the recovery experience, but it can also cause a major setback or relapse if the relationship causes additional stress. Addiction recovery is about focusing on your own needs, and a relationship can sometimes interfere with that process. There are ways that you can build a healthy relationship while in recovery that can turn into a supportive and long-lasting romantic relationship. A rehab aftercare program continues to offer support for individuals and couples who are working on building a sober and healthy life together.
At Crestview Recovery, we work with men and women from all walks of life who are struggling with an addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, or other harmful substances. Our accredited treatment center offers residential, outpatient, and aftercare programs that can treat the addiction and any underlying causes behind it. You will work with a certified behavioral therapist in group and private therapy sessions to talk about the reasons behind the addiction and begin building healthy coping skills. To learn more about our rehab aftercare program, call 866.262.0531 or fill out our online form today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Dating Someone With Addiction
Starting a new relationship while in addiction recovery needs to be taken slowly to avoid any co-dependency issues or other complications that can impact the recovery experience. While there are no set rules against dating with addiction, recovery is about focusing on yourself, and forming new relationships can sometimes get in the way. Experts recommend that you do not start a new romantic relationship for up to a year after completing addiction recovery.
Dating while in recovery can distract from the recovery process, increase the risk of relapse, and cause depression, isolation, and loneliness if the relationship does not work out. The best romantic relationships start with a solid friendship built on mutual trust and respect. They take time to build and cultivate and should not be rushed into, especially while you are making important life changes.
At Crestview Recovery, we understand how romantic relationships are important to a person’s health and well-being. Part of the recovery process is learning about healthy relationship traits and how to be a better communicator so you can build a supportive and healthy romantic relationship once you are ready.
5 Tips for Dating in Addiction Recovery
You never know when you will meet someone that you have a deep connection with that can turn into a romantic relationship. Sometimes you will meet that person in addiction recovery and can’t control how you feel. While dating with addiction is frowned open, there are several tips for building a healthy romantic relationship that will last long after completing addiction recovery.
Dating in addiction recovery is possible if you follow these tips and don’t rush into any major life changes right after recovery. Take the year to get to know each other and build a sober life together and then decide if marriage is the right move for both of you.
Here are five tips for dating someone with addiction:
1. Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Jumping headfirst into a relationship is never a good idea. People are complex individuals, and it takes time to learn who they are and if they will make a good fit. Dating in recovery comes with added complications, and couples should wait until a year after completing recovery before committing to marriage, moving in together, or other big life changes.
2. Know the Dangers of Dating in Addiction Recovery
Dating while in recovery can shift a person’s focus and attach their recovery to the success of the relationship. If the relationship fails, it can cause a serious setback in recovery and potentially cause suicidal thoughts or self-destructive behaviors.
3. Learn Your Partner’s Triggers
To build a healthy relationship with someone, you should first understand their triggers and how they cope with stressful situations. Be honest with them about any places, people, or situations that are triggering for you, and learn what situations are triggering for them. One person’s favorite activity or hangout spot can be another person’s trigger.
4. Don’t Forget to Focus on Your Own Recovery
One of the reasons they say not to date in recovery is it can distract from the healing process. Individuals need to put themselves first while in recovery and not the relationship, and that can sometimes cause a setback if one person feels the other is neglecting them.
5. Practice Self-Care
Addiction recovery teaches clients about taking care of themselves physically and mentally. Romantic relationships can cause some people to focus on caring for their partner rather than themselves. This can lead to not developing the right coping skills to beat their addiction and ending up relapsing, even if their partner does not.
Join Crestview Recovery for Our Rehab Aftercare Program
At Crestview Recovery, we support men and women who are ready to break their addiction to cocaine, heroin, meth, or other dangerous substances. While dating someone with an addiction can cause complications, it can also lead to a very supportive relationship that promotes lifelong sobriety for both partners.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and ready for a healthy new life, call 866.262.0531 today to speak with our compassionate team and schedule a tour of our Portland facility.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
