Matt obtained his bachelor’s degree in Addiction Counseling in 2017 and his master’s in 2020 in the same area of study. In 2020 Stages of Recovery welcomed him as an intern which quickly turned into a part-time then full-time position, assisting with groups and transitional housing at the men’s properties in Lubbock. Matt began his journey in counseling because he wanted to help people struggling with the disease of addiction, by being a role model and helping them realize the potential they have in recovery.

• Averie is a graduate from Texas Tech University with her Bachelors of Social Work in 2018 then in 2020 with her Masters of Social Work.
• If you rush the process of grief, you risk leaving some unresolved pain and issues within you.
• The things people seek out in a relationship—need fulfillment, emotional stability, security—are things that are important to find in yourself.
• It may not take as long to undo the harm your addiction caused, but it will take time.
• Living with active addiction creates extraordinary relationship challenges and does considerable damage to significant relationships—with partners, parents, children, and close friends.

Get Professional Support at APN

This will help you to stay focused on your recovery when things get tough. You have completed a solid treatment program and have been in recovery for at least eight months. This is an important foundation for any new relationship in recovery, as it gives you time to focus on your romantic relationships in recovery own healing and growth. When you find someone you want to start a relationship with, take it slow. This could mean that the first few dates won’t be very “romantic,” or that there’s little physical contact on dates, or that sexual activity is put off for a long period of time.

Understanding Your Recovery Journey

If you can say yes to most of these things, then you are likely ready for a healthy, loving relationship in recovery. Just remember to take things slow and listen to your gut if something doesn’t feel https://ecosoberhouse.com/success-story/justins-success-story/ right. The most important thing is that you are taking care of yourself and staying true to your own needs and wants. Recovery, as anyone who has gotten sober will tell you, requires hard work.

Mindful Romance Recovery and Becoming a Good Lover

You’ll be able to think more clearly, and base decisions on logic instead of drug-induced negative emotions. They likely saw first-hand the negative effects drinking was having on their partner’s life. Sometimes a person may decide to get sober, and then meets their partner and settles down. This can make it a bit more difficult for you, the non-sober significant other, to understand why your partner decided to cut out alcohol.

• Your sobriety doesn’t have to be the focal point of the relationship either, but it’s certainly a large part of who you are.
• If you find yourself struggling with your relationship while in recovery or feel like you need a little extra support in maintaining your abstinence, reach out to the professionals at APN for help.

DON’T Date Someone Else in Recovery

Increasingly, people in recovery are emerging from the shadows and throwing off the yoke of the stigma long attached to addiction. Recovery is becoming more common and accepted in mainstream society. You may be surprised to find that the vast majority of people will respect your recovery and accept it without difficulty. Breaking up with or being broken up with by a new partner can be an incredibly difficult emotional situation, which could lead to cravings or relapse.

We’re here when you’re ready​

Dating in Recovery: How to Get Started

• However, those in recovery, especially the earlier stages of recovery, are still getting used to sobriety and trying to steer clear of situations that might lead to relapse.
• That said, know that you can always lean on your support systems, whether that be sober friends, close family members, our experts at Recovery Care.
• The amount of sleep you get, your appetite, the money in your bank account, the security of your job and the people you hang around.
• After all, this would require you to stretch yourself extremely thin, putting additional stress on you that, in all likelihood, could even culminate in a relapse.