How to Develop Healthy Relationships in Recovery

Many people in early recovery have a difficult time with relationships with other people. Because of their addiction to drugs or alcohol, their lives often revolved around toxic relationships (which we will talk about in just a moment). Lastly, relationships foster personal growth and development. Building and nurturing healthy relationships serves as a foundation for overall well-being, stability, and happiness in recovery.

Even though recovery is a process full of complexities, it’s possible to overcome addiction with professional guidance and personal commitment. It takes making intelligent https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/women-and-alcoholism-how-to-recognize-an-addiction/ decisions and compromising to help on the path to sobriety. Overcoming everything in our way is a product of resilience and love toward your loved one.

The Second Key relationship: How We Relate To Our Families

Some relationship difficulties result in arguments or mistreatment. These unpleasant feelings may be additional triggers for a recovering addict. In turning to seek some form of consolation for the pain, this may lead to a relapse. Your recovery, perhaps especially the first year of it, is about you.

• Relationship-building skills in recovery are a series of interpersonal abilities to restore and foster relationships impacted by addiction.
• However, repairing these relationships is essential for successful healing and long-term recovery.
• Finding reasonable expectations is tricky but can be accomplished with mutual respect and healthy communication.
• Create a plan for how you will approach each person on your list.
• That push and pull of wanting to stop, then having to use, can play havoc with how we feel about ourselves.
• A romantic relationship, and even just dating someone while in recovery, can carry significant emotional highs and significant emotional lows.

How many times have you told them that this time things will be different? The more often this happens, the harder it is for the important people in your life to trust that this time really will be different. Couples will experience a vacillation of falling in and out of love. I believe as a fundamental principle that love is not enough for a couple to survive. Below are a few ways to rekindle the love for your partner.

What are unhealthy relationships during recovery?

As we enter into addiction recovery and move down the path toward sobriety, it is natural to feel a bit better about oneself. After all, you’re finally taking pro-active and positive steps to improve your life. We will have to develop a richer definition of self-esteem than how we feel about ourselves. Perhaps a broader concept would be to look at the value we place on ourselves emotionally, spiritually, and physically. With the above factors in mind, it’s important not to jump into  romantic relationships in early recovery.

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. Sober dating may not always be easy, but if you’re willing to take the time and put yourself and your sobriety first, you’re more likely to find a partner you can be truly happy with. For instance, two people in recovery may be more likely to relapse together, or if just one relapses, may cause the other to, as well. Or, the relationship could end, causing one person to relapse and making the other feel culpable, possibly triggering a relapse for themselves. For many people, group therapy is an important tool for recovery. It’s common for people who face addiction issues to feel isolated and ashamed; group therapy sessions allow participants to meet people with similar stories, easing these feelings.

Dating someone who knew you before treatment can keep you tied to past behaviors and substance use.

That being said, your most important priority needs to be protecting your recovery. This means taking care to not put yourself in situations where your recovery is likely to be at risk. Save time by starting relationships in recovery your support request online and we’ll connect you to an expert. Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic.