Dallas Bragg warns men in recovery from methamphetamine use that a new relationship can feel like protection but isn't. Stopping therapy and support work because you feel safe in the relationship leaves you vulnerable. When the relationship changes or ends, relapse is likely to resume at the previous level.
If you are actively using meth, then stopped because of a new relationship, you need to listen up. I see it often. Men start dating a non-meth user and then they feel safe from the threat of relapse and they stop doing their recovery work. Especially if it is a monogamous relationship, they feel very safe. This is like going to rehab but not participating in the program. You are wasting a pivotal opportunity to progress in your healing journey. If you aren't taking advantage of the buffer a relationship gives you, you need to act as if you are still in danger of meth use and seek therapy, coaching, recovery programs, everything as if you are still under the threat of use. Because 99% of the time when something happens to this relationship, it gets hard or it goes away, you will pick up your meth use right where you left off. Don't get caught with your pants down, as they say. Invest in yourself. And your recovery, because that is the only promise you have long-term.
