Dating in Recovery
Relationships are a big part of life, so they are a big part of recovery. In treatment, you may work on repairing family relationships in family therapy. You might learn communication skills that can help you build new, sober relationships. But dating is a different and sometimes more complicated type of intimacy. Sober dating can […]
Match.com and O’Doul’s Partner for Sober Online Dating
Dating site Match.com and non-alcoholic beer O’Doul’s recently partnered to encourage sober virtual dates.[1] The Match app now includes an option to add your drinking preferences, such as “no drinks,” “anything in moderation,” and “let’s drink.” The two companies are also offering a chance to win a virtual dating kit; the kit includes limited-edition O’Doul’s […]
Religion Works for Some in Recovery, Not for Others
As a not particularly religious person, I was initially turned off by recovery’s seemingly religious focus. In AA, there are a lot of references to God or a higher power. While that higher power doesn’t have to be God—it can be anything greater than yourself—recovery language seemed to lean religious. For some, this is a […]
4 Ways to Stay Sober During a Crisis
In crisis situations, your brain reacts by pumping stress hormones into your blood. It’s meant to help give you the tools you need to fight the situation or flee from it. Yet, in today’s world, that crisis isn’t always fleeting. It may last, and the stress you feel doesn’t get better. This can make it […]
How to Move Past the Pink Cloud Experience
Have you experienced the pink cloud experience? You may have if you have reached sobriety from your drug or alcohol addiction. The pink cloud occurs when you find yourself excited and living your best life right after you have ended treatment. You are sober, and it feels terrific. The problem is, it can all come […]
3 Fun Sober New Year’s Eve Ideas
New Year’s Eve can be a stressful time for people recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. The celebrations involved attract a lot of drinking and drug use, and this might impose serious temptations. However, it is always important to remember that your sobriety is your priority. If you’re unsure how to spend a sober New […]
This Thanksgiving, Be Grateful for Sobriety
With COVID-19 still in our midst, it’s unclear how this Thanksgiving will look. Still, the next month—often referred to as “the holidays”—often involves a lot of drinking. There are seemingly competing ideas of “drinking and merriment” or “my family is stressful so I need to drink.” Either way, alcohol is pervasive. You can have fun […]
3 Benefits of a Sober Living Program
The purpose of a substance abuse treatment program is to prepare someone for a sober lifestyle once their treatment is complete. However, many clients experience challenges when going rehab back into their daily life. Sober living can help with the transition by providing a bridge that allows someone to go back to their life at […]
Routine, But Not Rote: Building Structure in Recovery
Addiction is many things, and one of them is a habit. Often, drinking or using becomes the most predictable thing about your day. When you’re new to recovery, you need to replace the time you spent obtaining, using, and recovering from substances with new routines. Especially in early recovery, structure makes it easier to avoid […]
To Come Out or Not to Come Out: Sobriety Edition
I’m very open about my sobriety. As is clear from my writing this blog, I work at an addiction treatment organization. Every year on my soberversary, I make a social media post about it. Everyone in my life knows I’m sober. For me, that transparency is necessary. It feels important to do my small part […]