Whenever someone goes through recovery for an alcohol addiction, it is important for them to be very cautious about the possibility of relapse. This includes minimizing possible triggers and avoiding situations where they might be tempted to drink. It then goes without saying that it is crucial to live in a completely alcohol-free home.
Having alcohol around in the refrigerator or seeing other people drink it at home can be a very strong temptation and very dangerous for sobriety. For people in recovery who live with roommates, family members or spouses who still drink they will need to talk to them about keeping a dry home. It is an important conversation to have to ensure that everyone is on the same page and they will not jeopardize an alcoholic’s progress that they have made.
Keeping a dry home doesn’t mean that your roommates or spouse can never drink but they should never have alcohol in the house. Having beers in the fridge or a bottle of wine in the cabinet can be too much and is not respectful to you and your needs. You should be able to come to an agreement with the people you live with about how to maintain an alcohol-free home and what boundaries need to be in place.
When it comes to entertaining guests it is still crucial to keep your home alcohol-free. If friends come over and want to drink you will need to be straightforward and honest about your policy to keep a sober home. Make sure to tell people in advance that they should not bring alcohol so that you don’t end up in a complicated situation.
Keeping an alcohol-free home can be simple as long as your friends and the people living in your home support your decision.