There are fewer pure moments than those that occur in springtime, and that is why it is the perfect time to start thinking of planning a springtime sober date. But what does a date look like for those in treatment and recovery for substance use?
Those who are in substance use treatment and recovery need to take special care that they are not putting themselves in situations that risk relapse. Relapse is defined as the return to using substances, such as alcohol or drugs, after a period of cessation, often through treatment.
Dates are supposed to be fun, and should not leave you spending your time worrying or stressed out about the situation you are in. But it can also be hard to plan a sober date night for the first time since entering treatment or recovery.
We should also not avoid social interaction. In fact, it is just plain good to have fun. Socialization can improve our outlook on life by making us feel loved, appreciated, and a part of a larger community.
Planning a springtime sober date may seem daunting, but it really is easy. As we experience warmer temperatures, planning for a romantic evening can include outdoor venues as well. There are lots to do this time of the year.
It is possible to maintain sobriety and socialize in recovery. The important thing is to keep a few rules in mind, to maintain a sense of safety through careful planning, and, above all, to have a lot of fun on a springtime sober date.
Planning a Springtime Sober Date in Recovery
Social relationships are a big part of successful recovery. It is important that we keep a sense of community. Sometimes this means rebuilding our previous relationships destroyed by substance use. Other times this means building a found family for our sober future.
Caring relationships can mean the world to our success in treatment and recovery, and building new ones is important. We all need to be loved.
The Importance of Keeping Fun Sober
As we continue on our journey to lifelong sobriety, we can become super-fixated on the goal and forget the day-by-day act of living our lives. It is important to stop and ask ourselves if we are having fun, and to explore how to have fun in sobriety.
A big part of enjoying our lives is sharing our time with others. Many times, the pain of separation can lead us down troubled paths, but the hope of friendship and love brings us home.
So, we need to remember to quell the self-doubt that rises when we plan a fun event. The important thing is to have fun while steering clear of those things that bring us closer to relapse. We can have fun in recovery.
What to Keep In Mind for a Date
Did you know there are neurological effects that happen when you feel romantic love? When we feel love, the brain’s reward system releases hormones that give us those giddy feelings, make us smile for seemingly no reason, and give us that feeling of happiness and contentment.
Unlike addiction, romantic love rewards us in the best way possible. It provides us with a human connection that no other feeling can really do. All we have to do is keep springtime sober dates safe and fun and above all else, have a good time.
Keeping Recovery in Mind for Your Springtime Sober Date
The most important thing you can think about when planning a social event in recovery is your own safety and health. Protecting ourselves and others is a great way to stay away from those triggers that can cause relapse.
Another important thing to do is to stay educated about treatment and recovery from substance use. You can also reach out to all of your resources, from counselors to support groups for encouragement and ideas for how to spend time with your romantic partner.
Dating and relationships are meant to be fun. They are times when we allow ourselves to feel butterflies in our stomachs when we think of that special someone. Dates should make us feel that way too.
5 Springtime Sober Date Ideas
Now that we know what to look out for and how to keep our goals of sobriety in mind, we can start talking about ideas for a springtime sober date. Here are a few:
- Going out for coffee or tea. Many cafes have indoor and outdoor seating options, so you can sit outside and enjoy the weather or cozy up in comfortable seating inside drinking a hot or chilled beverage. Change it up and rent some bikes for a coffeehouse tasting tour!
- Planning a food truck date. Many cities and even small towns now offer food truck courts. These venues often offer food choices that many restaurants do not, making this a very interesting date night indeed!
- Go out for dessert. In the mood for some fro-yo? Or are you craving a decadent pastry? Think about trying a specialty pastry or frozen dessert shop. Pair it with a stroll through the town center or a local park as you eat an ice cream cone or sit by the park fountain to enjoy some tiramisu.
- Look for some outdoor viewing entertainment. Springtime may offer outdoor movies in local parks, or amateur performances in local amphitheaters. A treat of Shakespeare on a clear summer night in the park can definitely ignite a romantic mood.
- Stop by a local carnival or parade. Everyone loves a carnival! The food and rides combine to make one of the most iconic American experiences. And there is nothing better than enjoying this treat with someone you are interested in.
As the saying goes, springtime is when a young man’s fancy turn to thoughts of love. Springtime is a season when the world awakens once more from the cold winter into greening warmth. As the months turn warmer, amorous situations arise in our lives. For men in recovery, this is a time when romantic relationships may be kindled. But men in recovery also need to consider what a springtime sober date will look like. Staying away from those things that trigger us is the key to recovery. Talk to your peers at Renaissance Ranch about what you can do on dates with a romantic partner. And if you feel your sobriety threatened, call us today at (801) 308-8898.