It’s normal to feel a little lonely when you first move into a sober living home. You’re in a new environment, and you may not know many people yet. However, don’t let loneliness bother you! There are plenty of things you can do to make friends and build relationships in a sober home.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for overcoming loneliness in a sober living home. Sooner or later, you’ll start feeling like part of the community and won’t be bothered by loneliness anymore.
Why Sober Homes Make Making Friends Easy
Sober homes are great places to make friends and build relationships while boosting your recovery. Sober living communities do an excellent job of creating environments that promote community building and friendship-building activities.
So, the first thing you can do is get involved in some of these activities, such as:
- Group outings
- Volunteering opportunities
- Sober sporting events like surfing, major league games, etc
Activities like these are important in recovery. Not only do they allow for easy friendships to develop over shared activities, these “field trips” are instrumental in showing sober home residents that fun is still possible without addictive substances.
Still, if you’re a person who has always struggled with making new friends, these activities might not result in the friendships you might be looking for, making you feel disappointed in both your recovery plan and you.
It shouldn’t.
5 Ways To Make Friends In A Sober Home
In addition to getting involved in community activities, there are other things you can do to make friends in a sober living home. Here are some tips and strategies:
- Start by introducing yourself to your roommates. This is the best way to start building relationships with others in the house. Find out if you’ve got common interests, similar backgrounds, and shared experiences. Sometimes coming from the same state is all you need to bond with another. Introduce yourself to other residents in the house when you move in. Often, sober homes have weekly meetings and community dinners that allow everyone to get together. So be sure you attend these events to meet others in your home.
- Consider joining a discussion group. Sober living homes often have groups that meet to discuss recovery-related topics. This is a great way to get to know others in the home and share your experiences with them. Not only will this help you make friends and get that important support structure going, but it’s also really beneficial to talk about your recovery and any issues you might be having.
- Volunteer for activities, too. Sober living homes often need volunteers for different events or tasks, such as preparing meals or cleaning up afterward. So if you see something on the calendar that looks interesting, volunteer to help out! You’ll get a chance to meet other residents and have fun at the same time. Volunteering is also a great way to be of service in a sober home, too. Being of service and always being willing to help out is what recovering people are known for, and that can-do spirit and integrity will carry you a long way in your new addiction-free life.
- Don’t underestimate the value of small talk. Sober living homes can feel overwhelming at first because they’re full of people who are trying to get better and recover from drug addiction and dual diagnoses. The combination of sobriety, activities at an addiction center, and moving into an unfamiliar place is a lot for even outgoing people (although knowing what to expect helps). Small talk is cool because there are no stakes involved — it’s not a heart-to-heart or a confessional. You’re just passing time with another human being.
- Exercise is another good option. Keeping active is important in recovery. If the rules permit, try joining (or forming) a group that walks around the neighborhood, or goes to a local park for yoga, tai-chi, frisbee golf, or any other group outdoor activity. It’s not just great exercise, it’s another positive way to bond, get familiar with your roommates, and help them get to know you, too.
Give It Time: You Will Make Friends In A Sober Living Home
If you’re worried about being lonely in a sober home, there’s no need to worry! You’ll make friends soon enough, especially if you take advantage of the opportunities and activities available in your sober living community. Sooner or later, loneliness won’t bother you anymore because you’ll be too busy enjoying your new sober life and the great people in it.
This brings us to another bit of advice: Do research first before you decide on a sober home. Many sober homes are specifically for people with similar backgrounds and shared interests. Some homes are specifically LGBTQIA+ oriented; some might be for people who love the outdoors, with frequent camping trips. Others might be for people who tend to be homebodies, with activities focused on indoor activities, or for people who enjoy hobbies like gaming.
Preparation pays off here, and if you’re reading this blog you’re already on the right path. SoberLivingNearYou.com is the largest directory of sober homes around, with thousands of listings aimed at helping you find your ideal sober home solution. With us, you’ll be able to find a sober home that’ll fit you and your personality like a glove.
We hope this article has helped allay some of your fears about loneliness in a sober living home. Sober living can be an amazing experience full of growth and new friendships; you just need to leave yourself open to the experience. Start your search with SoberLivingNearYou.com today!
