Love and Recovery: Building Healthy Relationships on the Road to Sobriety
You do not know how to love anyone else until you love yourself, and you love yourself by having standards, having self-worth, not depending on outside sources for that which is the nature of our addiction.
Balancing romance and recovery can feel like walking a tightrope. In this episode of The Banyan Podcast, hosts dive into the delicate art of managing romantic relationships while on the path to sobriety. With insights from Ashley Bonner, LCSW, and Recovery Advocate Abigail Dorfman, the conversation sheds light on the essential elements needed for a successful relationship during recovery.
They highlight the importance of being mentally and emotionally ready before diving into a relationship, stressing that both partners need to be in a good place with their own journeys first. Honesty and open communication are key themes throughout the episode. The hosts discuss how being upfront about your recovery journey with your partner can build a foundation of trust and understanding. They also caution against rushing into relationships too early in recovery, as it can sometimes derail progress.
Instead, they offer practical advice on finding a supportive partner who understands and respects your recovery process. Self-love and self-worth are also crucial topics covered in this episode. The hosts remind listeners that you can't truly love someone else until you love yourself first. They encourage setting personal standards and not relying on external validation, which is often a challenge for those in recovery.
Whether you're newly sober or years into your recovery, this episode provides valuable advice on maintaining healthy romantic relationships. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to balance love and sobriety.