Staying Sober When Your Roommates Are Not

Is it Possible to Stay Sober When Your Roommates Aren’t?

Achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety can be challenging and it can be especially difficult when you are living with roommates that are either still engaged in active alcohol or drug addiction or casually drinking or using drugs. Even when you feel confident in your desire to remain sober, the constant exposure to substance use within your own home can pose a major risk to your sobriety as the triggers increase with having roommates within the same home that are drinking alcohol or using drugs. Understanding your own personal needs for living in sobriety is important for you to plan and develop the skills you need to prevent relapse within your home environment.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Tips for Staying Sober When Your Roommates Are Not

When you are living with roommates that are still actively engaged in alcohol abuse or drug abuse, there are some steps you can take to provide assurance that you can remain true to a life of sober living;

  1. Have open communication – No one will know what you need to support your sobriety better than you and, for those trying to remain sober with roommates still drinking or using drugs, it is important to explain to your roommates how you are feeling when triggers arise, identifying when behaviors or situations make you uncomfortable, and informing them on why your sobriety is important to you.
  2. Set boundaries- Your addiction recovery is the first priority. Establishing boundaries about behaviors, situations, and emotions that can be tolerated within sober living is essential in maintaining long-term sobriety. Speak with your roommates about expectations that you have for your living arrangement that will ensure your safety in sober living.
  3. Be aware of your triggers- Understand what behaviors, situations, thoughts, or emotions can cause internal triggers. Having a keen understanding of your triggers will allow you to safely plan to avoid these triggers or develop the tools to effectively overcome your triggers through healthy coping techniques that will help you maintain your sobriety.

Sober Living as an Option

The truth is, staying sober when your roommates are not is hard.  Living in an environment where alcohol and drugs are present is going to make sustaining your recovery much much harder.  People in early recovery need the ongoing support of the people and environment around them.  If your home environment is not conducive to sobriety, a sober living home can be an excellent option for you. Sober housing removes the triggers associated with living with roommates that are engaging in alcohol abuse or drug abuse.  Choosing a sober living facility will provide the reprieve you are looking for to remain focused on your drug or alcohol addiction treatment plan.

Choosing a sober housing program will provide you with the support you need from other sober people and recovering alcoholics to navigate the ups and downs of addiction recovery as you begin to reframe your lifestyle to match your goals of sober living.

Sober housing programs provide people in recovery with a structured setting similar to drug or alcohol addiction treatment that will keep you focused on living clean and sober through incorporating 12 step programs, access to behavioral therapy, and ongoing medical care to address your drug or alcohol addiction along with treating your co-occurring disorders.

Sober living allows individuals to develop life skills and methods for relapse prevention within a safe, supportive environment with a sober roommate.

Find Resources and Support for Your Sobriety at WhiteSands

We understand that addiction recovery is a continuous process that requires self-reflection, dedication, and focus throughout your life. Our patients are offered a continuum of care within our treatment facility that helps people overcome addiction through a seamless transition from inpatient drug or alcohol rehab, to intensive outpatient rehab, and on to supporting patients with sober housing, life skills, and even work opportunities to create a solid foundation in sobriety that will continue throughout their life. Our aim is to provide each patient with the individualized care needed to not only overcome addiction but also to gain a healthy community of support and sobriety and a life where they can thrive.

Contact WhiteSands today to learn more about the resources we can offer patients to heal from addiction and live within a sober home that will foster your newfound way of life in addiction recovery.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.