How to Live With an Alcoholic Roommate

Living with an alcoholic roommate can make you feel like you are living with a complete stranger. An alcoholic roommate may have characteristics of joblessness, violence or disruptive behavior. Feelings of shame arise due to the way the alcoholic acts around friends and family members. Taking care of your roommate can lower your feeling of self-worth by allowing you to forget things that are important to you, such as your own needs. Constantly worrying about your roommate can be upsetting for the entire household.

Instructions

• 1

  Refuse to cover up for the actions of your alcoholic roommate. Providing excuses for your roommate will give her even more reason to continue on her destructive path. Going along with the problem seems much easier than resolving it but will only give her someone to fall back on each time she makes a mistake. Eliminating her ability to rely on you to carry her extra weight will force her to put her situation into perspective.

• 2

  Do not blame yourself for her problem. Constantly pointing out flaws about yourself or your situation at home could have an adverse effect and allow your roommate even more reasons to drink. Keep yourself healthy throughout the process and do not forget about yourself or your needs. Do not believe you can change the situation or control her. Attempting to control the alcoholic will only upset her, especially if she has yet to admit she even has a problem.

• 3

  Go out and enjoy a peaceful afternoon or night on the town. Get away from the constant struggle of trying to live with an alcoholic roommate. Use the night to clear your mind and rebuild yourself for the challenges that you will face for the rest of the week. Try to focus on the enjoyment of being out and not the situation at home. Constant worry will only hurt you by stressing you out and wearing you down.