Romantic Relationships & Recovery

Reasons to Reconsider Dating During Treatment

Recovering from a substance use disorder is a lifelong journey, one that requires commitment, energy, and time. After completing a treatment program, people feel enthusiastic, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world. They also may feel ready to date and pursue romantic relationships. However, dating early on in your journey toward sobriety can be a dangerous path to go down.

Before diving into a new relationship, there are reasons you may want to reconsider. In most instances, it is recommended to avoid dating for at least one year after completing treatment.

Here’s what you should know.

A Time to Focus on Yourself

The period immediately after completing treatment is vital to your recovery process. During this time, you may feel more vulnerable, which is why it is essential to focus on yourself and your healing.

Completing treatment for substance use can be an emotionally challenging time. While you focus on working toward a sober lifestyle, therapy will help you to understand and overcome unhealthy behaviors.

Increased Feelings of Loneliness

In addition to focusing on your recovery, dealing with life’s regular obstacles is a difficult process and consists of many changes. This process can often make you feel isolated and alone.

To combat those feelings, many turn to people they can relate to in order to help fill that void. However, it is detrimental to your recovery to work through those emotions and not rely on others to do that for you. By inviting others into your life romantically, you are putting yourself at risk for codependent behaviors and relapse.

Treatment Therapies in Asheville

Since 2018, Carolina Recovery Solutions has been helping individuals and families struggling with the effects of substance use to get the help, they need to heal. Our unique facility offers a wide range of therapeutic treatments designed to meet the individual needs of each patient.

To learn more about our treatment therapies, contact us directly at (828) 383-8328.