Making the transition from life in treatment or a sober living home back to life on your own can be tricky. If you have been used to living in a structured environment around sober people, the sudden freedom and social pressures of normal life can be difficult to navigate. One solution to this problem is to find a sober roommate or roommates. Here are some of the advantages of living with other sober people.
There’s less temptation.
The biggest benefit of having a sober roommate is that you both have the same goal. The other person understands and shares your desire to keep drugs and alcohol out of the house. The last thing you need is to get up on a Saturday morning and find your roommate smoking up in the living room. Even if your roommate respects your decision not to drink or use drugs, if she keeps alcohol in the house or brings over friends who drink or use, you will likely feel tempted. A roommate who is also in recovery understands your needs on a deeper level. She will probably also keep company with people who either don’t drink or use, or are willing to refrain around her. It generally creates a more positive environment.
It’s cheaper.
Another big benefit of having a sober roommate is that you’ll save a lot of money. Whether you split the rent or let a room in your own place, sharing costs can mean huge savings. That’s a good deal for anyone, but it might be especially good for someone just out of treatment. You may have debts to pay off or you may not be making much money right away. Keeping your expenses low gives you a chance to pay off debts, build up your savings, and get back on your feet financially.
You’ll have company.
Loneliness is big problem for many people in recovery. When you get lonely and bored, you might become depressed and restless and start thinking about using again. Having a roommate will make you feel less isolated, even if you don’t spend a lot of time together. It also reduces stress to have someone around in case of emergency. Best of all, having a sober roommate around helps keep you accountable. A sober roommate is more likely than friends or family to notice if you come home drunk or disappear for a couple of days. You can help each other stay on track.
How to find sober roommates
Wanting a sober roommate significantly reduces the pool, but you still have a pretty good chance of finding someone. Your best bet might be to ask people in your sober network if they or someone they know needs a roommate. There are also websites like RoommatesInSobriety.com and MySoberRoommate.com that can help you find someone in your area. If you advertise in regular places, make sure to state up front you’re looking for someone who doesn’t drink or use drugs. Also, there’s no reason to limit yourself to people in recovery. Anyone who doesn’t drink or use drugs, whether it’s because of addiction, health, or religion will fit the bill as long as you can get along.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
