Should I Date in Early Sobriety? Navigating Relationships and Getting Sober
Should I Date in Early Sobriety? Navigating Relationships and Getting Sober
Relationships can be very tricky to navigate in early sobriety. This is a particularly tumultuous time, with a lot of ups and downs. Emotional regulation is difficult, especially due to the effect alcohol and drugs have on the brain.
Many patients meet new people in early sobriety (especially if they visit a treatment center for inpatient or outpatient services) and form bonds. Sometimes these bonds become romantic in nature.
For other patients, there is already an existing relationship that may be affected by the changes that occur in early sobriety.
So, should you date in early sobriety?
Below is more information about the effect alcohol and drugs have on the brain, and what dating may look like in early sobriety.
Changes to Your Brain
What people often don’t consider is how alcohol and drug use affect the brain. When a patient stops the use of drugs and/or alcohol, it often causes physical responses not only in the body but also in the brain.
As mentioned in an article published by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction:
Executive function becomes dysregulated. Alcohol disrupts function in the prefrontal cortical areas involved in executive function, impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
As a patient recovers, their brain changes. These changes can make navigating a relationship particularly difficult.
What Do I Do If I’m in a Relationship?
Getting sober while in a relationship can put a serious strain on the relationship if it isn’t properly handled. It’s important that not only you get additional support, but also your partner gets the support they need. You may even want to consider couples counseling to nurture the relationship and address issues that occurred at least in part due to substance use.
Can I Start a New Relationship?
While every relationship is different, it is often recommended that a patient doesn’t start a new relationship early on in sobriety. Patients are often particularly “raw” early on, and are in a difficult place physically, emotionally, and mentally. Adding additional stress can trigger the patient and contribute to a relapse.
If you are beginning a new relationship, let your mental health counselor know so they can help you to navigate it.
Learn More and Get Help
If you would like to learn more about navigating relationships in early sobriety and/or get additional support, reach out to Front Door Health. We offer in-home addiction treatment services for our patients. Our mental health and addiction specialists will provide you with outstanding treatment from the comfort of your own home. This means you can get the treatment you need without having to leave your house or interrupt your daily routine.
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, reach out to Front Door Health today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the support you need along your road to recovery.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
