Question

I will answer as a SO of an addict. It really depends on you I'm not sure we can tell you exactly what's best but 30 days in you are still on pretty unsteady ground. Dating and new relationships involve stress, rejection and disappointment all of which can be huge triggers for someone that early in recovery. You also now have the responsibility for someone else's feelings and this early on you probably don't have the ability to think about others feelings before yours because you are so focused on you as you should be at this point in your recovery? Ask yourself if you are willing to be honest with your potential future partner about the reboot and past issues and if your answer is no then you are not ready. Also this early on if you have any form of PIED it may still be there or even if you did not before it may come on. That will likely set recovery back and upset you. I would say at least 90 days. A lot of men in reboot try to replace the fapping with sex with a partner and so their drive to get out and date gets to be very strong because they need some sort of release but not because they are actually looking to develop a relationship. While that sounds great now in the long run in the end it will not be good or conducive to your NoFap journey. They advise addicts in AA I think at least a year. You are very fragile in recovery and again you will add more stress with dealing with another persons wants and needs. If you think you can handle it go out and talk to women socialize don't be a monk but I would wait a lot longer to date. From a SO perspective being with someone who is two months into recovery I want you to know it's not an easy process for him or I. I would recommend against putting yourself in it.

 

Thanks for the advice. I admit I am looking for release. At the same time - and in fact since years now - I am looking for relationship. As I am not porn addicted I don't feel in a recovery process. I am just enjoying abstinence.

 

So part of your recovery should focus on being happy with yourself and not requiring another person or an addiction to make you happy or to fill that hole. Because no drug or PMO will ever fill that hole and neither will any person. Once you get fully healthy you will be ready to get into a relationship for all the right reasons and you will be stronger.