Habits of Successful Sober College Students

While there is certainly no shortage of temptation on college campuses to use drugs or alcohol, that doesn’t mean there is no hope for students trying to live a sober life. Arming yourself with healthy habits can help set you up for a successfully sober college experience. Here are our top nine healthy habits that we believe can help you maintain your sobriety while in college.

Surround Yourself With Sober Friends

Perhaps the most important change you can make to help you stay sober is to surround yourself with sober friends. Whether it is because they are also in recovery, or simply because they do not believe in using substances, these people are going to be the best at supporting you in your journey. Others in recovery will also be able to help you hold yourself accountable for attending treatments or meetings you may still need.

While it may be tempting to try and throw yourself totally into your studies and ignore everything else, this is not going to lead to long-term success for sober college students. It is a good idea to try to avoid having too much free time, but you should also make time for fun, positive activities like trying new hobbies or hanging out with sober friends. Consider volunteering in your local community to help others in need. These can all help you to unwind, build self-esteem, and help keep you from feeling overwhelmed by your coursework.

With the rising concern of substance abuse on college campuses across the nation, many have begun to offer on-campus resources for students. This can include a number of different things, from sober dorms to recovery programs. Research what your campus offers, and take advantage of what is available to you to support your sobriety.

This goes hand-in-hand with avoiding high-risk situations, but it is worth talking about on its own. Many sober college students may think that going to a party destination for break doesn’t mean that they will relapse, the fact is that it almost certainly guarantees it. You can’t expect to be surrounded by upwards of thousands of people drinking and partying and still avoid falling back into old habits. Instead, choose a totally different destination and invite sober friends to come along with you. Make your own trip full of sightseeing and trying new foods or activities, and feel more confident that you will return to campus without breaking your hard-earned sobriety.

If you are living somewhere with other students who are still actively drinking or using drugs, the temptation to relapse will be almost impossible to avoid. It may be far more beneficial to your recovery to stay at a sober living facility rather than living on campus. Not only will a sober living program like Riviera ensure you aren’t living with people who use drugs or alcohol, you will have continuous access to help and support whenever you need it. You will also be able to get treatment for any co-occurring disorders you may have, and be surrounded by people who understand exactly what you are going through.