Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Clean Connections.
What is Clean Connections?
Clean Connections is a dating platform for people in recovery, sober living, or who simply choose not to drink or use substances. We connect people who want meaningful relationships without alcohol or drugs being part of the picture.
Do I have to be in a 12-step programme to join?
Not at all. Clean Connections is for anyone who identifies as sober, clean, or sober-curious — whether you're in AA, NA, CA, SMART Recovery, or simply made a personal choice. All recovery paths are welcome.
Is the platform free?
Yes. Clean Connections is free to use. We may introduce optional premium features in the future, but the core experience — browsing, matching, and messaging — will always be free.
How does age verification work?
When you join, we use Yoti facial age estimation to confirm you're 18 or over. You'll be asked to take a brief selfie during onboarding — this is processed instantly by Yoti and the image is never stored by us. It's required to access the platform as part of our UK Online Safety Act compliance.
Can other people see my sobriety information?
Your sobriety fields (sober since date, recovery path, etc.) are shown on your profile to other logged-in users. You can leave these fields empty if you prefer not to share. You can update or remove this information at any time.
What if someone is promoting drinking or drug use?
Report them. We take this seriously — you can report profiles for "relapse promotion" and we review all reports. Profiles with multiple reports are automatically hidden pending review.
How do I delete my account?
Go to Settings > Danger Zone > Delete my account. This permanently removes all your data including messages, matches, and photos. You'll receive a confirmation email.
Can I temporarily hide my profile?
Yes. Go to Settings and toggle "Taking a break." Your profile will be hidden from search but your conversations and matches are preserved. Turn it off whenever you're ready to come back.
How do I export my data?
Go to Settings > Privacy & Data > Export my data. We'll email you a download link with all your personal data in JSON format, as required by GDPR.
I'm having a tough day and don't want to date right now.
That's completely OK. Use the "Taking a break" toggle in Settings. Your sobriety comes first — always. If you need support, check our Resources page for helplines and recovery organisations.