Planning a Sober Valentine’s Date

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate relationships, and alumni of any given treatment and recovery program should still be empowered to celebrate their relationships in their own lives. However, while Valentine’s Day can be an important day for romantic relationships, it is still important to approach the day with sobriety in mind for a fulfilling Valentine’s date. For many alumni, this may be the first time that they are planning a romantic date without the use of drugs or alcohol. However, it is always possible to plan a sober Valentine’s Day date that continues to celebrate relationships as well as maintain a healthy focus on sobriety. 

Whether it is an alumnus’s first sober Valentine’s date, or possibly the first sober Valentine’s date for one’s partner, it is important to approach the holiday with new intentions and expectations. A sober date can feel different, especially if a person’s relationship had previously enabled the use of drugs or alcohol regularly. Rather than trying to amend past strategies, it can be more impactful to approach this Valentine’s Day with a fresh set of new intentions devoid of past expectations. Knowing that a sober date will feel different can also empower those in recovery to embrace new practices, strategies, and explore new opportunities in their relationship. 

It is important to not only celebrate each person’s sobriety alongside romantic partners but to also celebrate these partners themselves. Whether an individual has begun a new relationship in sobriety or is celebrating the reparation of a personal relationship, those in recovery can still enjoy a great and fulfilling Valentine’s Day. Using Valentine’s Day to start new traditions and explore new ways of spending time together without the use of drugs or alcohol can be instrumental for a sustainable and sober future. 

Each relationship is unique, and finding new ways to celebrate this relationship is a personal journey. However, there are some ideas that alumni of Hawaii Island Recovery’s effective treatment programs can use to begin creating a new approach to the holiday. 

While some relationships may openly know about a person’s journey with addictive substances, newer relationships begun in sobriety may still need to explore certain expectations. Setting clear intentions for sobriety regarding the holiday is paramount, and discussing this before Valentine’s Day can prevent any misunderstandings. While celebrating without drugs or alcohol itself is necessary, setting clear expectations and intentions can also prevent those in recovery or their partners from inadvertently introducing unnecessary stress, such as planning a fancy dinner that may have an accessible bar, which may create an unnecessary high-risk scenario. 

Talking with one’s partner about these intentions for a truly sober Valentine’s date can ensure that when the day does come around, each person can engage with the date with feelings of security and can best enjoy their romantic other. 

Valentine’s Day can be a time to get gifts for each other, or even acknowledge the effort that each partner puts into the relationship. However, for alumni looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day in sobriety, it can be more important to focus on sharing new experiences rather than worrying about gifts. For some, this is essential for helping set a new tone surrounding Valentine’s Day, while others may be able to better explore these relationships by trying new things together. 

Art classes or paint nights can be a great couple’s activity in sobriety, while others may choose to instead take a cooking class together, gaining new skills and experiences to share. Other experiences that can make for a great Valentine’s Date can include going to a museum, live performance, or show. Even experiences like going to an escape room together can help couples further build trust and share a unique experience.  

Some couples may prefer to stay in on Valentine’s Day and explore something more cozy and intimate, and there are always sober options available with this approach. Not only can creating experiences at home ensure that alcohol and drugs will not be present but it can also explore these relationships further with a more familiar atmosphere. 

Cooking a home meal together, hosting a game night, or even having a movie marathon where both partners get to share their favorite or most impactful movies and discuss them can all be a great way to not only get one’s partner involved in personal interests but do so in a comfortable and safe environment. 

Even after graduating from one of Hawaii Island Recovery’s dedicated treatment programs and navigating our unique Hawaii rehabilitation, there can still be a great deal of daily stress. Valentine’s Day can be incredibly stressful, and having a community to fall back on as an alumnus can empower each individual to continue focusing on their sobriety and sober lifestyle. Not only can this empower alumni to best utilize the skills learned in treatment in daily life outside of the treatment facility but continued engagement in outpatient programs and communicating with Hawaii Island Recovery’s professionals can continue to add new perspectives, ideas, and more while celebrating each milestone in a person’s sober efforts. 

Hawaii Island Recovery is always one call away, whether an individual is looking for new ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day in sobriety, or to continue challenging urges, cravings, and more for a sustainable sober life. 

Valentine’s Day can be a time of stress for many, and alumni planning their first sober Valentine’s Day alongside romantic partners can add to this already difficult time. At Hawaii Island Recovery, we empower each alumnus to continue pursuing their best sober lives, even outside our walls. Our unique Hawaii rehabilitation empowers each person to use the strategies and skills for a sustainable sober life inside our outside our facility, with constant support to help you explore new strategies and personal goals in daily sober life. Planning a sober Valentine’s Date can be hard, but our professionals and community of peers can help you today. Learn more by calling to speak to us today at (866) 390-5070.