People face various challenges when it comes to dating, and sometimes they need to set boundaries for their safety and mental health. A single person may prefer to stay sober for a variety of reasons in the dating world, and it’s important to find partners who respect that choice. While it may not be polite conversation, drinking habits and alcohol recovery can play a role in a person’s prospects the dating scene. If someone wants to meet at a bar for a first date, it can be awkward for a nondrinker to explain why that won’t work for them.

Sober daters may feel self-conscious, but they shouldn’t lose hope in finding love online. Sober dating apps make it possible for singles to connect with potential matches who will appreciate and support them on their sobriety journey. If you’d rather avoid the local bar on your next date, we recommend using the following dating apps to meet a quality match for a sober date.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Over 2 million people have found love here
  • Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
  • Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals

Founded in 2000, eharmony is a trusted dating app where integrity and honesty are central to the experience. The platform was built to create long-lasting relationships that lead to marriage. Sober singles can benefit from the eharmony matchmaking method, which relies on a lengthy questionnaire and psychological testing.

eharmony aims to match single people based on what matters to them. This is extremely helpful considering that daters often get burnt out swiping through profiles that don’t match their criteria. 

The eharmony algorithm produces matches based on personal compatibility, and that’s why the official site motto is “get who gets you.” The dating app’s compatibility quiz empowers sober singles to set high standards for their love lives and find partners to share the same values.

“My experience was wonderful,” said Carmen, an eharmony user in a review. “I met my husband via eharmony in 2014. We were married in 2016 and it has been heaven ever since. We love the same activities, the same hobbies, and we have a great time with each other all the time.”

2. Match

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Match is the world’s longest running dating site
  • The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
  • Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages

Match is a leading dating app designed to promote serious dating rather than casual chats. Match is a good resource if you’re looking for a potential partner who is ready for a real relationship and perhaps even marriage.

Match dating profiles provide a good opportunity for singles to express themselves and talk about the things that matter most in their life. A sober person may want to bring up their recovery in the bio space, or they can simply identify themselves as a nondrinker with their lifestyle filters and leave the rest to later. Match simply opens the door to conversation, and the rest is up to the user.

Since its launch in 1995, Match has positioned itself as a dating site for adults. That means sober singles don’t have to worry about immature comments about their recovery and life choices. Routine and consistency can be crucial to a sober person’s recovery, so forming a committed relationship on Match can mean greater stability and improved mental health. 

3. OurTime

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.4/5.0
  • Open to straight, gay, and lesbian singles over 50
  • Free match recommendations and conversation starters
  • Use Tokens to promote your profile and send virtual gifts

OurTime is a senior dating site that caters to singles over the age of 50. The free membership includes some messaging capabilities as well as unlimited browsing of profiles and photos to help single people get their bearings. As a Match Group property, OurTime has many intuitive design features that take the stress out of meeting new people.

OurTime offers older people a reminder that there’s always hope for tomorrow. After all, a new love could be just a click away in this senior dating community. The dedicated site and app provide custom filters based on lifestyle and interests to help individuals make meaningful and quality connections in their age group.

4. SingleAndSober

SingleAndSober offers a new and refreshing way for sober singles to date online. As part of its founding principles, SingleAndSober assures daters that they don’t have to be under the influence to have fun and meet new people. SingleAndSober has established a recovery community where members gain more than just dating experience. 

The niche dating site provides useful tools to help singles maintain their sobriety and build healthy relationships. The platform may not have the biggest following, but its members all share common values and lifestyle goals, making this a great community for sober singles.

“Everyone is supportive, considerate and honest. I have had lots of luck finding dates and some short-term relationships over the last couple of years,” said a SingleAndSober user in a testimonial.

5. Sober Dating Service 

Navigating the social scene during recovery is much simpler when your online matches share similar experiences with sobriety. Sober Dating Service is a premier dating site designed for sober singles looking for love. Sober Dating Service is determined to make sober dating more accessible and affordable. You can find all sorts of users on the app — young and old, Black and white, straight and gay, Christian and atheist.  

“So many people are in the same boat as you, they will be sympathetic, and as such you will have a much better chance of connecting with them.” — the Sober Dating Service team

Joining Sober Dating Service is free with a basic membership that allows users to create a profile, browse other people’s profiles, and send up to 10 flirts to get their attention. With a premium membership, members can send private messages to any person who strikes their interest. 

FAQs: What’s the Best Anonymous Dating App?

Sober daters may not want to advertise themselves on swiping apps, but some apps provide adequate privacy to keep a person’s identity a secret.

Ashley Madison is a discreet dating app that values anonymity in the dating world. Ashley Madison members can engage in sexting chats, extramarital affairs, and romantic encounters that will never see the light of day.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • Discreetly arranges one-night stands and extramarital affairs
  • More than 80 million profiles worldwide
  • Travel-friendly features for seeking matches in other cities

Ashley Madison was created over 20 years ago to facilitate married dating, but it has since expanded to help casual daters keep a low profile as well. Sober singles can use Ashley Madison as a platform for private discussions and no-strings dates. The online dating app helps all types of daters explore their desires without feeling judged or exposed.

Can People Date While in Recovery?

Dating while in recovery is possible. But dating experts recommend people receive treatment for alcohol addiction wait until after the first year of sobriety before dating anyone new. According to the American Addiction Centers, romantic relationships can be tempting for sober people, but such connections can come with risks and challenges that may increase a person’s emotional dependency.

Early recovery should be focused on an individual’s healing, growth, and independence. More stress is not helpful to the sober journey. Relationships aren’t always rainbows and clear skies, so sober singles should avoid a serious commitment until they’re on solid footing themselves.

Is Sobriety a Turn-Off in the Dating Scene?

Absolutely not! If a person judges you for being sober, they’re a bad match anyway. Most potential matches will get it. It’s just a matter of being honest about where you’re at in your journey and allowing potential partners to express their opinions on the matter as well. Some daters aren’t willing to give up a drink on a Friday night, and if that’s the case, it’s better to know now than later. 

Find Love in Recovery by Going Online

It’s only natural to feel lonely during recovery, but you may be able to break out of your loneliness with just one dating app profile. Going online to find love during recovery isn’t so scary once you know what to expect, and sober dating apps can help.

Sober singles no longer have to feel boxed in when dating. Plenty of sober-friendly dating apps make it possible for sober singles to discover common interests and go beyond the local bar for a date. If you’re hoping to land a sober date, you have more options than you think. Advanced match algorithms can help identify the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Happy dating!

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