College Students & Sober Companions: Navigating Campus Life Sober

Independence, exploration, growth, and a fair amount of chaos - that’s college in a nutshell. For some students though, the parties can take priority over the academics and pretty soon the adventure feels more like a minefield. If you’re a college student and working on your sobriety or in early recovery, you might be able to use a little extra support. Enter the sober companion. 

College & Sobriety: A Strange Pairing?

A sober companion is exactly what it sounds like: someone who helps you stay sober. More than just a glorified babysitter, personal recovery assistants are trained professionals. They can live and work alongside you while providing support, accountability, and guidance in real-time. Maintaining your sobriety in college can be full of high-risk environments and it never hurts to have someone on your side. 

Depending on what you need, a sober companion may live with you or simply check-in throughout the day. Finals week and you’re stressed out? Daily lunch dates and an evening phone call to touch base. The goal isn’t to shield you from life but to help you build the skills and confidence to handle it sober.

Why Would a College Student Need a Sober Companion?

Because campus culture can be unpredictable and wild. Especially if you’re trying to stay sober. Maybe you’re fresh out of rehab and feeling a little shaky going out and about. Maybe your friends don’t understand the disease of addiction and keep telling you that “one drink” isn’t a big deal. Or maybe it’s just the stress, anxiety, and loneliness of growing into an adult away from home that makes taking a drink or drug look tempting. 

But Won’t People Think It’s Weird?

People won’t even know what a sober companion is unless you tell them. More often than not, people just assume you’ve got a supportive friend. And if your sober companion is good at what they do, their discretion will be top-notch. Don’t expect them to follow you around with a clipboard and a list of AA meetings asking how you’re feeling 24/7.

College campuses are full of students walking around with tutors, coaches, and academic advisors whose job is to help them succeed. A sober companion isn’t any different.

Alternatives If a Sober Companion Isn’t for You

Not everyone may need a sober companion, and that’s totally okay. Building a solid recovery system on camps is still suggested for anyone in early recovery. There’s a bunch of ways you can do that. 

Most colleges and universities have collegiate recovery programs or college recovery communities. These are recovery communities, including dorms, on campus that are specifically for students in recovery. They’re a great place to get plugged into the local 12-step community and find other students in the same situation as you.  

Sponsors are an indispensable part of any recovery program. Whether it’s a 12-step program or a recovery coach, having someone to check in with, get guidance on working a recovery program, and have accountability to can make all the difference. 

Sobriety Isn’t the End of Your College Experience—It’s the Start of a Better One

Yes, college is full of temptation. But it’s also full of opportunity—new friendships, new experiences, and a chance to figure out who you really are without substances in the mix.

Because at the end of the day, sobriety doesn’t mean missing out. It just means showing up—fully present, fully engaged, and fully yourself. And isn’t that the whole point of college anyway?