How to Deal With Dating Someone in Drug Addiction Recovery

Are you dating someone in drug addiction recovery? Were you there during the bad times? Most importantly, are you sober, too? Here are some thoughts on how to maintain your relationship.

Dating Someone in Drug Addiction Recovery Brings Challenges

You suddenly feel guilty every time you think of having a drink. Rather than enjoying a beer, you don’t want to be a bad influence and potentially cause your partner to stumble. In this case, think of sobriety as a peanut allergy. If your love interest had a severe peanut allergy, you wouldn’t keep the food around or eat it, would you?

Facing Your Own Chemical Dependencies

What happens when your enjoyment of alcohol is something more than just a social event? Dating someone in drug addiction recovery can bring you face to face with your own substance abuse disorder. You realize that you can’t quit drinking or doing drugs even for the sake of love. Therefore, it’s time for you to get help.

Rehab facilities offer numerous treatment options. Examples include:

• Individual and group therapy sessions for personal growth, goal-setting, and encouragement
• Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is vital when you pinpoint areas of dysfunction that you want to change
• Gender-specific treatment as a way to harness the power of your innate strengths
• Trauma therapy for program participants with significant, adverse situations from the past
• 12 Step recovery program meeting opportunities that encourage peer accountability

Is Your Partner in Active Recovery?

If your love interest is currently participating in a rehab program, they need support. They might be participating in an outpatient setup as part of a step-down care protocol. Because the hurt from the drug or alcohol abuse is still fresh, there’s the danger of relapse. Knowing when to get addiction help for a loved one can make you feel more comfortable with the situation.

It might be odd to be with someone who spends a lot of time talking about sobriety. However, consider that they’re learning a lot about addiction and behaviors. If you’re dating someone in drug addiction recovery, you’ll be a sounding board to verbalize some of the information. Don’t think of it as a liability. Instead, it’s a sign of trust and personal growth.

When You’re Thinking of Making It Long-Term

You’ve stayed with the relationship. Undoubtedly, there have been some changes you had to make. For example, you don’t go to clubs or certain events as a couple. Besides that, there are some friends or family members who haven’t met your partner yet.

You’re now thinking of taking the next step. Doing so puts you in the inner circle of your partner’s support network. Learn more about dating someone in drug addiction recovery by talking to an addiction specialist. At Beaches Recovery, caring therapists can help you with your own or a loved one’s rehab and continuing recovery. Call 866.605.0532 today.