You had an addiction in the past and worked hard to get out of its grip. You were successful and are now on the road to recovery. You are to be applauded for the job you’ve done so far. Recovery is an ongoing process. One of the things that can cause a setback is a personal relationship that occurs to soon in recovery.
Recovery is full of relationships and most of them are quite healthy. You most likely belong to a support group and have formed many relationships there. Those people understand and empathize with the pains and trials of recovery. Friendships and lasting bonds may be formed and they will help in the recovery process.
Aside from these peer support relationships you are working on family relationships also. You may even have professional relationships that form with your therapist or the addiction professionals that you are working with. All of these are beneficial to your recovery.
Many addicts of drugs and alcohol experience a lessening of sexual desires due to the effects of substance abuse. With addiction, all of your energy, thoughts and feelings are tied to the substance you are using. You don’t have the time or the inclination to care about another person. Now that you are no longer addicted, you are experiencing normal sexual desires and you are vulnerable to creating strong infatuations or romantic feelings that have long been dormant.
Romantic relationships or volatile sexual relationships are rarely helpful or beneficial to the recovering addict. The very nature of romance or sexual relationships turn your attention to others when it really needs to be focused on internal healing that is a part of your recovery. This is no way means you will never be able to have a personal relationship in the future. It merely means that you should be cautious about the timing of such a union. There is no time frame set in stone, it’s something you will have to consider and decide on your own. If you have thoughts to share about this process, please let us know.
If you know someone who is addicted to a substance, let them know that A Better Tomorrow can help them to recovery. You’ve been there, help them make this step.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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Relationships are challenging in the best of circumstances so it makes sense that you would want to be mindful of starting one during recovery from an addiction.
ReplyDeleteI think I've decided to put any new relationship on the back burner for now. I'm not sure I'm ready yet anyway.
ReplyDeleteI know I want another relationship sometime, but I don't feel like it should be now. I'm still too focused on getting through the day to be able to think about someone else.
ReplyDeleteI find that I'm really mixed up when it comes to relationships. I guess I'm feeling better about a lot of things but I got mixed up with a guy and things were moving way to fast for me but I couldn't seem to put the brakes on. I've decided to break it off with him and forget couples for a while.
ReplyDeleteI believe I may be one of the lucky few who has started a new relationship during recovery and had it work. We've been seeing each other for almost 2 years. We recently started talking about getting married so we could start a family. It's been a very positive relationship for me.
ReplyDelete