The time period just after detox or a formal treatment program is overwhelming, and you’re at your most vulnerable. Having a safe space to land is crucial. And the people you surround yourself with in early recovery play a critical role in the success of your sobriety.
Sober roommates in Southern California and the Orange County area are numerous, and finding one requires you to be in the right rooms to make meaningful connections and build your community.
Key Points
- Finding a sober roommate in Orange County can help galvanize your recovery by sharing a safe and supportive environment, as well as living expenses.
- We found 11 potential sources for sober roommates in the local area, including online directories like MySoberRoomate.com, SoberHouseDirectory.com, state sources, online bulletin boards, and more.
- Safety is critical when choosing a roommate. Look for someone with a shared commitment to recovery, always check their references, and consider a background check for strangers.
Finding The Right Sober Roommate In Orange County Matters
Living with someone is always a complex arrangement. You’re blending two stories, two pasts, two preferences, two routines, etc. Finding the right sober living arrangement for you will be key to long-term sobriety. Here are a few tips to guide you through choosing the right sober roommate in Orange County.
Look For A Shared Commitment to Long-Term Recovery
Recovery is a life-long process, but it requires early commitment. Find someone who has completed formal treatment and is enrolled in alumni services to help maintain their sobriety and stay accountable.
Find Someone With Good Communication Skills
Creating a peaceful living environment is crucial to your peace and well-being. Many challenges and conflicts can be easily resolved when both parties have good communication and can have open or difficult conversations. Someone who is extra guarded or too easily offended may be a challenging roommate.
Compared Desired House Rules
House rules could be related to cleaning schedules, use of shared spaces, a guest policy, parking, sharing expenses, etc. Make a list of your desired house rules and have them do the same. Compare notes and see where you can find common ground.
Potential Red Flags for Sober Roommates
If one or more of these red flags come up, consider whether this person really is a good match for you:
- Unstable job situation
- Lack of transparency around expenses
- Flighty or a history of sudden moves
- Revolving door of guests
- Unusual sleep schedule
11 Ways To Find A Sober Roommate In Orange County
Local Peer Support Groups
Local addiction recovery centers specialize in curating relationships and helping like-minded individuals bond over their shared experiences. Connect with their supportive environment or enroll in alumni groups, and you may spark an instant connection organically to find a perfect-fit sober roommate.
These are the people in your area who are already engaged in the recovery process, maintaining their sobriety with dedicated support. If you’ve previously attended formal treatment locally, consider reconnecting with the center or finding the closest addiction treatment center to your home. There may be a bulletin board, group chat, or meeting where you can find a sober roommate in Orange County or another nearby city.
MySoberRoommate.com
MySoberRoommate.com is an online network of geographically-based candidates who are looking for someone else in a similar place in their recovery journey. You can create a profile for free, even if you’re not through treatment yet. Once you’re part of the database, you can search for the ideal roommate based on specific search parameters, like gender, location, pets, timeline, budget, and more.
Orange County Recovery Residences
Additional Orange County resources include state-funded, short-term recovery residences. OC Health manages this program for those in recovery to help newly sober people achieve stability outside of formal treatment. There are a few requirements for residents, like treatment attendance, drug screening, and more.
Established Sober Living Homes
Rather than attempting to find a sober roommate on your own, it may be best to join one of many existing sober living houses in Orange County. These are managed residences that promote accountability, supervision, support, and safety in early or long-term recovery by providing a sober living environment.
Many will have requirements, including inpatient or outpatient treatment completion, meeting attendance, drug screening, and more. The benefit of joining a sober living facility or home is to be immediately plugged into a community of like-minded individuals who are in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction but who are actively working toward independent living.
SoberHouseDirectory.com
SoberHouseDirectory.com is another online directory, similar to MySoberRoommate but with a slightly different focus. The online database connects those in recovery with structured, established sober living houses for early recovery. Like many sober living programs, there may be requirements such as chores, curfew, shared rooms, etc.
California Health & Human Services
Dialing 988 in California routes the caller to 24/7 support for mental health or substance use-related crises at one of California’s twelve lifeline crisis call centers. However, part of the California Behavioral Health Crisis Care Continuum Plan includes community-based stabilization services.
NAMI California
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or NAMICA is an organization that provides “help, hope, and health” for Californians affected by substance use and mental health challenges. In addition to increasing access to treatment, supporting family involvement, and assisting with criminal justice issues, NAMI CA also helps with housing, as this is a critical component of recovery.
OC Sober Roommate Finder (Facebook)
OC Sober Roommate Finder is an Orange County Facebook group with over 1.6k members. It acts as a community bulletin board where members can post sober house listings, room searches, and opportunities to connect.
SpareRoom.com
SpareRoom.com is another online directory for finding a roommate; however, it’s not specifically targeted for those in recovery or sober spaces. When posting an available room or looking for a sober space to rent, the listing should indicate that complete sobriety or post-treatment recovery is required to be considered. Some structured sober living houses will post openings here when available.
Craigslist
Craigslist is an online classified ads outlet where items, jobs, cars, and housing options are posted by the public. Using the search parameters, you can find a local sober roommate and connect with potential candidates. Use caution when meeting a complete stranger for the first time and conduct due diligence, follow up on references, or perform a background check to verify they’re a good fit.
Sober Living Orange County (Facebook)
Sober Living Orange County is another Facebook group with over 3.8k members. While not specific to finding a roommate, it may be a good place to post an opening or look for one. You may also find additional activities, networking opportunities, and events where you could meet more people in recovery and find an organic roommate connection.
Find The Right Sober Roommate In Orange County For You
Long-term sobriety is supported by a community. Your roommate is the closest community member you’ll have in your recovery as you share a home, a living room, and a life. Start with established and reliable resources, like local treatment centers and established sober living houses, before branching out into more public and unknown directories.