Easy Does It Dating Guide: For People in Recovery

by Mary Faulkner

A straightforward, yet lighthearted, look at what it takes to enter or reenter the world of dating—clean and sober style.

How much of your past should you share? Is it wise to date another addict in recovery? What should you do if you're attracted to a problem drinker? These are important questions in any dating relationship, but even more critical for individuals who are in recovery. This Step-friendly, one-of-a-kind dating guide offers frank yet lighthearted advice about avoiding the traps, triggers, and trauma of romance in recovery.

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This groundbreaking book aims to help addicts recovering from "any and all substances or behaviors" play the dating game. Readers will appreciate the perspective of Faulkner, herself a recovering addict who knows that perfection is not a realistic life goal; instead, dating is seen as a process, like recovery and life itself. Often laugh-out-loud funny, this work focuses on remaining clean and sober while dating and tries to steer readers clear of common pitfalls (e.g., "two wounded people desperately searching for someone else to fill the void isn't a relationship; it's a guaranteed train wreck").

Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Colleen Wainwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I learned that many of spiritual fave-raves have pointed to the 12 Steps of recovery as America's great contribution to the canon (and, let's face it, since I found out that Julia Cameron's A-MA-ZING and transformative Artist's Way was loosely based on the 12 Steps), I've been looking at other ways to apply the Steps to my life. This dating guide, much like "If the Buddha Dated", is a great, spiritually-based way of looking at being in and looking for relationship. Solid thinking to keep one grounded, great exercises that will benefit my whole life at least as much as my dating life.

Don't actually need this book yet, but grateful to have found it and read it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful. I used it in conjunction with the ACOA workbook and it really helped me establish better boundaries. Progress not perfection!

[Akilah]

This book finally convinced me to delete the dating apps, so for that I am grateful. To be fair, I had one foot out of the door on them anyway, but still.

Good, practical advice here for boundary setting and for thinking through what dating can/may look like for a person who wants to approach dating soberly (aka without being consumed with the other person and/or dating itself). This was easy to read, and I recommend it to anyone who finds the idea of dating overwhelming.