How to Date in AA
Approximately 8 million people in America are alcoholics, and many of these people are seeking help with their recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. A recovering alcoholic might find that he is attracted to another person in the group because they spend time together and they have a lot in common. Many experts who treat addiction believe that dating during the early stages of recovery is a bad idea, but over time, it is possible to form a successful relationship.
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Instructions
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Wait one year into your recovery before you begin dating. While there is no magic number to indicate when you are "safe" from relapse, statistics indicate that only 5 percent of alcoholics keep returning to AA after their first year, and these people have the highest chance of staying in recovery.
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Get to know the person before you ask her out. Remember that she is in recovery as well, and she, like you, has a high chance of relapse. Make sure that you know each other well and that you are both ready for a relationship.
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Choose the location for your date carefully. Remember that the rules are different than when you dated before recovery. It is not a good idea to go somewhere with a lot of alcohol, like a club or a bar.
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Choose different sponsors if the relationship progresses and you have the same sponsor. Sharing a sponsor may present a conflict of interest for you and for your sponsor.
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Attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings together to keep both of you focused on sobriety. Remember that sobriety is more important than anything, because without sobriety no healthy relationship is possible.
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Tips & Warnings
Relationships, particularly relationships with other alcoholics, can be stressful for an alcoholic in recovery. Remember that your recovery is more important than any relationship. If at any time you think that your sobriety is threatened by the relationship, break it off.
References
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Comments
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Do not believe this article. Apparently the author is a flat lander. If you are an alcoholic in recovery talk to your sponsor. If you are a flat lander (on-alcoholic) go to Alanon and get a sponsor and do what he or she suggests. Men sponsor men! Women sponsor women. Rarely will the opposite sex sponsor each other (only under certain conditions) If the men are sponsoring women where you are going, be dam careful that is not how Bill W. meant for the program to work.
