Dating is awkward. There’s no denying that being vulnerable with strangers while attempting to find someone you really click with can be an exhausting and uncomfortable experience, so it’s no wonder that drinking has become deeply engrained in the dating lifestyle. Once you become sober, going on dates or being intimate with someone without the alcohol to calm your nerves can seem daunting. With a bit of courage and some creativity, however, you may find sober dating to be more fun and far less problematic than dating under the influence. One way to avoid many of the challenges you may face while dating sober is to date within a sober network, which you may be able to find online or through an organization such as AA. But if you choose to keep your options open, turning down an offer to meet for drinks doesn’t equal the death of your love life. By letting people know that you no longer drink, you are weeding out the heavy and problem drinkers that you should be avoiding anyway. Any potential partner who rarely or socially drinks is likely to be unbothered by your sobriety. Try not to put yourself in situations you know you can’t handle, and don’t hide your sobriety from the people you date—you will only turn it into a bigger issue than it needs to be. Additionally, don’t be afraid to take the lead in planning dates that don’t revolve around alcohol. No matter how you choose to spend time with your date, the best part of dating sober is that you will have all your wits about you when deciding if you genuinely like the person sitting across from you. Never again will you have a three-month long relationship only to find that what you both really liked about each other were the drinks! A sober lifestyle is possible, and if you believe you may have a drinking problem, now is the time to seek help.
At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.