If you’re in recovery from addiction, you may be looking for ways to get your life back on track.

If you’re single, then you may be interested in dating. Dating after rehab can be terrifying, especially if you’re newly sober. While our drug rehab center Gilman recommends taking some time for yourself right after getting out of rehab, there is another dating option that could work. Online dating has become a new norm. As more advancements are made in the online world, more and more people are just clicks away from finding a potential partner. We’re sharing some tips for online dating in addiction recovery that can help you get back into the dating game.

Why Online Dating is Great for Sober People

Getting back out there after struggling with addiction and receiving drug or alcoholism treatment can be intimidating. You want to date, but you may be hesitant to answer any potential questions that may come up about your past. You may be afraid that someone will stop speaking to you because you’re sober. Because it can be hard to express your sobriety for fear of missing out on a potentially good time, online dating can be beneficial.

Profiles allow you to share your sobriety without awkward conversations

Online dating for sober people is great because most if not all online dating sites allow you to customize your biography to express yourself as clearly as possible. While some people may manipulate this system, this is a great way for you to show others that you’re sober without having to repeatedly have any awkward conversations. Many people don’t understand the severity of addiction and will try to convince you that “one drink won’t hurt”. Expressing your sobriety in your account makes your priorities clear.

These online profiles also help you weed out candidates

Because sharing your sobriety on your profile makes your intentions clear, it also allows you to weed out the unlikely candidates. If someone messages you and invites you to go get drinks, then you’ll know that person didn’t even bother reading your profile.

Online dating keeps you away from bars and other risky situations

Online dating in recovery also keeps you away from the bar and out of situations that can lead to relapse. You can choose to get to know that person more online before going out somewhere and being caught in an uncomfortable situation. Because these online profiles are so customizable, you don’t have to go out to a bar or clubs or anywhere to meet someone you’re compatible with.

4 Great Tips for Online Dating in Addiction Recovery

While online dating can be great for people who are sober, there are a few basic rules you should follow.

#1: Be honest in your online dating profile

One of our most important tips for online dating in recovery is to be honest in your profile. As mentioned previously, your profile plays a big role in who you meet. These sites are designed to pair you with others who share your interests. When you lie on your profile, you’re lying to others who are also looking for a date and defeating the purpose of the site. If you wouldn’t want to go on a date and find out that the person lied about something, then don’t do it.

#2: Have your dates in a safe and public location

You can talk to a person for months online and still not truly know them. Online dating opens the door to dating in person, but you have to be careful. Whenever you agree to meet in person for a date, do so in a safe and public location. Go to a restaurant or anywhere else where you’ll be around people. This is a necessary safety precaution. As you get to know the person, you can eventually change up the places you go. Because this would be a sober first date, you should also avoid bars or any places that are centered on drinking. 

#3: Be prepared for rejection

More often than not, people experience rejection before meeting their match. Don’t let this bring you down. This is extremely common in dating and you shouldn’t take this to heart, no matter what. If anything, appreciate rejection when it happens and consider it an opportunity to grow. If you feel like rejection could cause a relapse, then you should take a break from dating for a bit.

#4: Talk about your past when the time is right

If your online profile expresses that you don’t drink, your date may have some questions about it. If you don’t feel compatible with this person or you’re just not comfortable sharing more details, then don’t. If you want to continue dating this person but you don’t want to talk about your history with addiction on the first date, then tell them you’ll share more about it another time.

If you’re battling addiction, do not wait a moment longer to get help. At Banyan Treatment Centers Heartland, our doors are open to everyone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. We start our patients off with a medically monitored detox to help them wean off of these substances and begin their rehab programs on a clean slate.

Best Apps for Online Dating in Addiction Recovery

Below are some great sober online dating apps that offer safe ways to meet new people.

• Hinge: While Hinge is a dating app for everyone, it allows you to personalize your matches so you can find others who are also sober
• Single and Sober: This is another traditional online dating app that also allows you to customize your preferences and share your sobriety preferences
• MeetMindful: This one isn’t specifically for sober people, but it does focus on bringing people together who prioritize health and mindfulness.
• 12StepMatch: 12StepMatch is one of the original sober dating sites. It caters to people in AA, NA, AI, or other 12-step programs.
• Loosid: Loosid promotes a community of people interested in non-alcoholic activities and events
• Love in Recovery: Love in Recovery is similar to dating sites like Match or EHarmony, but different in that it connects users to others in addiction recovery and people who are sober by choice

Recovery begins with treatment. If you or someone you know is suffering from a substance abuse disorder, call Banyan Heartland now at 888-280-4763 for more information about our drug and alcohol treatment in Gilman.