If you’ve recently started dating an alcoholic, there are some helpful tips that you might want to be aware of. Dating while trying to recover from alcoholism is more complicated than a normal relationship. If you want to date somebody who is in recovery, you need to take it seriously. Educate yourself about alcoholism. Decide if it’s something that you’d like to pursue and commit. Support them with their recovery by celebrating their victories. And being there for them when they struggle. Also, you might consider giving up alcohol in solidarity. There are a lot of things to consider when deciding whether or not to date somebody in recovery. Hopefully, you’ll find a way to support them and make your relationship successful.
Dating an Alcoholic: Helpful Tips to Make Your Relationship Smooth
Educate Yourself
The first thing to do when beginning dating an alcoholic is to educate yourself. There is a lot to know about recovery and dependency. For example, it’s important to understand that alcoholism is a disease. It is not something that you should take lightly. Knowing what to expect from somebody going through recovery can help you be prepared for the many ups and downs you might experience.
Decide if It’s Something You’d Like to Pursue
Once you research alcoholism, if you still are planning on dating an alcoholic, you need to think seriously about whether or not it’s something you want to do. If the relationship is relatively new, it’s best to leave early. If you don’t feel like you can support somebody going through this, it’s best to cut the relationship off as soon as possible. The longer you date, the harder a breakup will be on everybody. If you’re wanting to move forward with dating, commit to them and being a supportive partner.
Support Them
Being a supportive partner when dating an alcoholic can mean a lot of different things for different people. Your partner might need you to be a sounding board when they are feeling stressed. Or they might need somebody to cheer them on when they achieve goals. They might even need somebody to come with them to meetings. Ask them what you can do to make their journey easier.
Consider Giving Up Alcohol
Finally, if you’re dating an alcoholic, consider giving up alcohol yourself. Some people in recovery can be around alcohol without trouble. For others, it makes their recovery so much harder. If your partner struggles with this, consider cutting out drinking. It’s also a great way to show support and be on the same page. You can explore mocktails together or find alternative drinks that you both enjoy.
Dating an alcoholic can be more complicated than a typical relationship. You need to make sure that you are fully prepared to take on everything that it encompasses before you get serious. Take some time to learn about alcoholism and recovery. Also, take time to make sure that this is a relationship you are invested in. If you do decide to pursue the relationship, be a supportive partner. You might even consider giving up drinking yourself to show your support. And to make recovery easier for your partner. Hopefully, if you decide to move forward with your relationship, you’ll find a bright future together.