How I’ve Succeeded in Having a Healthy Relationship as a Survivor
My body and my mind are constantly at war.
Trigger Warning: this article contains descriptions of sexual assault, trauma, and addicition that may not be suitable for all readers. Fearless community, please read with care.
As a survivor of multiple sexual assaults, recovering from trauma will always be a part of my life. This has never been more apparent to me than right now, three years sober from substance abuse and in the first long-term relationship of my life.
Before this, every romantic experience I’ve had was volatile, unpredictable, and short-lived. Oftentimes, my drug and alcohol abuse was intertwined with the people I dated. Many of these experiences were a way for me to further bury my sexual trauma or even make it worse by setting no boundaries with the person I was with.
When I got sober, I spent my time and energy healing myself, which was what I had needed for years. This resulted in me being single for 3 years until I met my current partner.
How I’ve Navigated a Relationship as a Sexual Assault Survivor
I experienced a sexual assault at the age of 7 that permanently damaged the way I see myself, the world, and others. It…
