Each person in recovery has a personal journey that includes their timetable to heal, receive support, regain confidence, and grow as a person. As you recover and decide to start dating, you may question whether you are ready to be dating someone in recovery.
Although there are many differences among people in recovery, about 90 percent have one thing in common—coffee and sobriety. One research project found that almost all one million Americans who join Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) drink coffee. About one-third of these coffee drinkers reported drinking more than four cups daily, and the usual reasons were that it made them feel and concentrate better. Most experts agree that there are advantages and disadvantages to drinking coffee during recovery.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the life expectancy of men is about five years less than women. Although physical disorders such as heart disease are the leading causes of death, experts report that severe mental illness can shorten a person’s life span by up to twenty years. Novembers Men’s Health Month seeks to raise awareness of physical problems like prostate cancer and mental health issues like addiction.
Dry January helps many people recover from the holidays and get a fresh start to the new year. A newer concept, Sober September, offers a chance to join others in your local community and social media to reset and evaluate your relationship with alcohol. For those who have turned to a life of sobriety, Sober September provides an opportunity to reflect on past successes and recommit to their journey.