Tips for College Students to Stay Sober When Returning to School

As the summer days start to wind down, college students must prepare for heading back to school and starting a brand-new semester.

There is a social stigma that college is filled with excessive partying and little studying; however, everyone may have a different college experience. If you are a recovering addict that is heading back to school, you may be worried about the pressures and cravings you could very easily experience at any point. Being in a relaxed environment with complete independence can be intimidating especially if you are staying sober. There are ways you can successfully stay clean and still enjoy your college experience. The treatment experts from Banyan Treatment Center explain the best tips to help you stay sober when returning to school.

As substance abuse is growing in young adults, the development of a full-blown addiction is unfortunately common amongst college students. If you have successfully completed treatment and are sober, it is important to follow these tips as you head back to school. It’s normal to feel anxious and worried that you will not be able to handle the social pressures away at school; however, you can effectively stay sober while living a healthy college lifestyle.

• Gravitate towards people who share similar interests as you do. Join a club and get involved in organizations you are passionate about so that you can keep a busy schedule outside of your classes and studying.
• Find a roommate who is aware of your sobriety, and one who will respect you and your space. We suggest that you live with another sober person so that there will be very little chance of temptation. You don’t have to worry about parties and the presence of drugs and alcohol when you live in a sober environment.
• Research support groups in the area and find time to attend weekly meetings. Your recovery is very fragile, and it’s important to constantly progress by achieving weekly goals in meetings.
• Boredom can be a major trigger for you to relapse – with all your activities going on around you, you will stay busy and focused; thus, leading to maintaining sobriety.
• Don’t put yourself in compromising environments. If you know that attending a party with drugs and alcohol will lead to temptations that you can’t manage, don’t go. One night out at a party is not worth a relapse, especially when you have worked so hard.