Open communication is key to any healthy relationship, but it’s especially important when going out with sober people
While more and more people are becoming sober curious, your dating pool may still be limited in your local area, especially if you want to go out with other sober individuals
Be supportive. One of the most important things you can do is support their rehab journey. You may want to avoid situations that may trigger their substance use or cravings and be understanding if they need to cancel plans to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or something similar.
Respect their boundaries. It’s also crucial that you respect your partner’s boundaries when it comes to their decision to stay sober. If they don’t drink alcohol or use drugs, don’t try to pressure them into doing either. You may also want to avoid imbibing around them. Doing so may trigger a relapse and jeopardize their progress.
Educate yourself. If you’re unfamiliar with addiction or substance abuse, it can be helpful to educate yourself on these topics. Try reading blogs or watching videos about the topic to better understand your partner’s perspective. Doing so may also help you become better equipped to provide support if they need it.
Communicate openly. You want to have honest conversations about your expectations, concerns, and feelings and be willing to listen to your partner’s perspective as well.
Focus on shared interests. While substance use may have played a role in your past, it doesn’t have to be a factor in your relationship with a new person. Instead, try to focus on shared interests and activities that don’t involve substances, and explore new hobbies together that support your partner’s goal of staying sober.
The Realities of Sober Dating
While Dry January only comes once a year, many people still stick to the sober grid for longer than that. Dry dating is also so much more in now than it was before. However, it’s still a new and strange concept to some people.
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