By Elizabeth RosselleOriginal Source: SoberlinkBefore getting clean, Valentine’s Day for me was either a romantic night out with a partner (with wine, of course), or a total downer of a day spent sad and alone (also, with wine). There was never really any in between, and I tended to base my happiness on whether or not I was in a relationship. The one guarantee was that there was always alcohol present, even if that just meant that I was sitting in my apartment while drinking alone and listening to Leonard Cohen.
People who suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) commonly depend on external sources to feel good, and Valentine’s Day can be very triggering for some people. Utilizing a sober monitoring tool like Soberlink is a great way to share your sobriety with people in your recovery network while helping you to remain accountable for your clean time. Remember, you never have to walk this path alone, even on Valentine’s Day. One of the first things to recognize if you are sad during this holiday is that we are enough on our own – you are enough on your own, and learning to love yourself is one of the greatest gifts recovery can offer. As cliché as it sounds, learning to love yourself also means that you have more love to give to others, and this doesn’t need to mean romantic love. Make it a point to dish out that love wherever, whenever and to whomever, whether you’re partnered up or solo. Because the more full your heart is, the less you’ll feel the need to reach for the bottle.
We’ve compiled a list of four fun sober activities or “date” ideas that you can engage in with loved ones, whether you’re just hanging out with your beloved pals or your significant other. Here’s to Valentine’s Day with your lover or, as our single friends affectionately refer to it, “Singles Awareness Day” with friends!
Sober dinner parties are a great way to fill your home with love, or take over a section of your favorite restaurant if you’re not set up to entertain (or you just don’t want to do the dishes). You can also include your significant other if you have one. Valentine’s Day doesn’t always mean...click here to continue reading
