How to Find Sober Roommates

Where can a sober person go after rehab? They’ll need a place where they can feel safe, supported, and committed to their sobriety, but going back home might not always be the best option. If family, friends, or roommates are abusing drugs or alcohol, returning to that kind of living environment is not an ideal situation. In all likelihood, it will just make it more difficult for you to sustain your sobriety.

Instead, finding sober, like-minded roommates will help you establish a stable home in this next phase of life in your recovery. But how do you find sober roommates?

Some of the best ways to find sober roommates are:

• Enroll in a sober living program.
• Go to recovery support group meetings.
• Join a collegiate recovery group.
• Ask supportive friends and family members.

Below, we’ll provide more details about why you should consider finding sober roommates, how to find sober roommates, and what to look for specifically.

What Are the Benefits of Sober Roommates?

If you’re sharing a home with someone, sharing similar values and lifestyles can make things easier. There are many different reasons why you might want to find a sober roommate after completing treatment:

• Peer support: If you’re new to recovery, you’ll likely need all the support you can get. Staying sober is hard sometimes and it will take persistence and dedication to sustain your new lifestyle. Having friends, family members, and roommates that are supportive of your recovery can help you get through tough cravings and challenging life events by holding you accountable and offering emotional and physical support.
• Less temptation: Naturally, if your roommates are sober like you, they aren’t likely to bring home addictive substances like drugs or alcohol and they won’t be using those things around you. This is especially true if you have roommates who have been sober for a substantial amount of time. If you’re worried about relapsing, having a sober roommate can definitely reduce the likelihood that you’ll face temptations to use drugs or alcohol at home.
• Save money: Renting an apartment or a house can be expensive, which can be a roadblock for many people in recovery who are just starting to regain their financial footing after treatment. If you want to save some money, sharing your living space with other sober individuals is a great way to do it. It also means you can split the costs of things like internet, utilities, cable, and even streaming services like Netflix that allow you to create different users within the same household.
• Peer companionship: The early months of sobriety can sometimes feel lonely, especially if you’ve had to leave old friends behind due to their unwillingness to accept your new lifestyle. One of the best things about having sober roommates is that you get to share your life with someone who gets it and understands what it’s like to be addicted and get sober. If you’re having a hard day, they are there to listen and vice versa. Or, if you need to get out, you’ll have someone to go out with and grab dinner, see a movie, or go to a recovery meeting.

How to Find Sober Roommates

Finding sober roommates isn’t as difficult as it sounds. If you are willing to give it some effort and put yourself out there, you can help yourself succeed in sobriety by establishing a healthy and supportive home that is free from drugs and alcohol. Here are four ways you can find sober roommates in any location.

1. Enroll in a sober living program. Living in a sober home is by far the easiest way to find sober roommates. Sober living houses (also sometimes called halfway houses or ¾ homes) are established residential facilities that offer safe, sober housing for people in recovery. Residents abide by community rules and regulations, abstain from any drug or alcohol use, and pay a monthly fee for residency. Although most residents share a room with one or more others, you can also request to have a private room. Sober living programs also provide additional recovery support services like regular drug testing, employment assistance, educational planning, and individualized programming. Many sober living homes don’t have limits on how long you stay either, so you can stay as long as you need.
2. Go to recovery support group meetings. Getting connected with other sober people in your community through support group meetings is another strategy you can use to find sober roommates. As you establish regular attendance at support group meetings, you’ll get to know the other members and may find that one or more of them are also looking for a roommate. This is a great way to build friendships with like-minded sober individuals and, ultimately, find a roommate.
3. Join a collegiate recovery group. If you are a college student in recovery, you should consider joining a collegiate recovery group. Many of these organizations offer sober dorms or sober housing for students in recovery. All the students who live in these facilities are recovering from substance use disorders and are committed to living a sober lifestyle while they’re away at college. Many collegiate recovery groups also offer scholarships, which may make on-campus living more affordable.
4. Ask supportive friends and family members. If you have friends or family members who are supportive of your recovery, you should consider asking around for suggestions. Often, a loved one will know of someone who is looking for a roommate. If they are aware that you are in recovery and support your decision, they should also consider that when recommending a potential roommate.

Helpful Tips for Choosing Sober Roommates

Now that you know how to find sober roommates, let’s talk a little bit about what to look for in a roommate. Now that you’re sober, you’ll want to be very particular about who you choose to share your home with. That person or people could potentially bring things into your house that you’d prefer to avoid. So, to protect your sobriety and overall health and wellness, here are a few helpful questions you should ask before committing to any living situation after treatment.

• How long has the person been sober? The first year of sobriety can be challenging. If a potential roommate has only been sober for a few days or weeks, you might want to search for someone else who is more established in their sobriety. A person who has been sober for several months or years is less likely to relapse and therefore decreases your risk for relapse due to exposure.
• How well do your personalities align? If you and a potential roommate have extremely different personalities, you may have a difficult time establishing a household and keeping the peace. On the other hand, if both of you have similar personalities, it may be easier to establish a stable and sober home together. Consider things like the other person’s communication style, cleanliness, ability to work through conflict, and expectations for availability before you commit to living with them.
• Do you have any shared interests? Although you could live with someone that you rarely see or spend time with, life is more fun with great roommates. Before you decide on a sober roommate, it’s important to find out whether the two of you have any shared interests. Do you both enjoy gaming? Sports? Health and wellness? Or maybe you’re both musicians? These types of shared interests can make a living situation easier and more fun for everyone involved.
• Is the person financially stable? If you find a potential sober roommate, you should also find out if they have a steady job and income, as this will directly affect their ability to pay rent on time. Having a roommate who is financially stable and reliable will also eliminate any unnecessary stress. For example, you don’t want to live with someone who stops paying rent, utilities, or other household bills.
• Does the person regularly attend support group meetings and have a sponsor? Someone who is actively pursuing their recovery is much more likely to be committed to their sobriety and be engaged with a recovery community and sponsor who holds them accountable. This is good news for you! Likewise, someone who skips out on meetings and isn’t working with a sponsor may be more likely to relapse, which is also bad news for you.

Finding sober roommates doesn’t have to be difficult. If you know where to look and what to look for, you’ll likely find that many other people in recovery are also searching for stable, sober roommates too.

If you choose to go the sober living home route, Eudaimonia Recovery Homes is here to support you. Our sober living homes located in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs are ideal living situations for sober men and women who are looking for a fresh start in a supportive space.

Please call (512) 363-5914 to learn more about our sober homes and recovery support services or apply for residency online today.