What To Do If Your Roommate Is Using Substances in College

What To Do If Your Roommate Is Using Substances in College

Let's face it – college life is full of challenges, and discovering your roommate might be using substances can be really tough to handle. If you're noticing concerning patterns in their behavior or just trying to figure out if what you're seeing is actually a problem, you're not alone. Here in Indiana, where college towns like Bloomington and West Lafayette buzz with student life, these situations happen more often than you might think. As part of our Hoosier community supporting those affected by addiction, we want to help you recognize signs of substance use, tell the difference between typical college behavior and concerning patterns, and give you some practical guidance on approaching these sensitive conversations with care.

Your role is not to diagnose or "fix" your roommate, but rather to express concern, offer support, and know when to involve professionals if needed.

Signs of Use

Spotting potential substance use in your roommate usually involves noticing patterns of change rather than just one-off incidents. According to research published by Faces and Voices of Recovery, substance use on college campuses has increased dramatically, with daily marijuana use more than doubling and illegal hard drug use increasing by 52% between 1993 and 2005. With numbers like these, knowing what to watch for is super important.

Here are some common red flags that might suggest your roommate is using substances:

• Sudden or gradual changes in sleeping patterns, such as staying up unusually late or sleeping through classes
• Dramatic mood swings that seem disconnected from circumstances
• Declining interest in activities they previously enjoyed
• Unexplained financial difficulties or frequently borrowing money
• Physical signs like bloodshot eyes, unusual smells on clothing, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
• New friend groups that center around partying or substance use
• Finding drug paraphernalia or alcohol containers hidden in your shared living space

Just remember, seeing one or two of these signs doesn't automatically mean your roommate has a substance problem. Try to notice patterns over time instead of jumping to conclusions. Most Indiana universities – from IU to Purdue to Notre Dame – offer confidential counseling services where you can talk through your concerns and get a better handle on the situation without immediately involving your roommate.

What's Normal vs. Concerning

Let's be honest – college environments often make certain behaviors seem totally normal that might raise eyebrows elsewhere. I mean, who hasn't heard about those legendary Little 500 weekend parties at IU? Research shows just how widespread this normalization is – according to Faces and Voices of Recovery, almost half (49.4%) of all full-time college students aged 18–22 either binge drink, abuse prescription drugs, or use illegal substances each month. Even more concerning, about 22.9% actually meet the medical definition for substance abuse or dependence—nearly triple the rate in the general population.

Here's a quick guide to help you tell the difference between typical college behavior and something more serious:

Typically Normal	Potentially Concerning
Occasional weekend partying	Regular intoxication affecting daily responsibilities
Trying new experiences with friends	Taking increasing risks while under the influence
Some fluctuation in academic performance	Sudden, significant decline in grades or class attendance
Changing friend groups as interests evolve	Complete withdrawal from previous friendships and activities
Occasional stress or mood changes	Persistent anxiety, depression, or dramatic personality changes

When behaviors drift into that "concerning" column, especially when you're seeing multiple signs together, it might signal a developing problem. For Indiana parents looking for more detailed information about recognizing and addressing substance use in their college students, our comprehensive parent's guide offers additional resources specifically tailored to supporting young adults in our state's unique college environments.

How to Talk to Them

Starting a conversation about substance use isn't easy – trust me. The goal isn't to accuse or push your roommate away, but to show genuine concern while keeping your relationship intact. Across Indiana's college communities, from the apartments near IUPUI in Indianapolis to the dorms at Ball State in Muncie, we've found these approaches tend to work best:

• Choose a private moment when both of you are calm and sober
• Use "I" statements to express your observations and feelings without sounding accusatory
• Focus on specific behaviors rather than making general character judgments
• Listen more than you speak, allowing them space to share their perspective
• Avoid lecturing or ultimatums, which can shut down communication

Here are some conversation starters that might help break the ice:

"I've noticed you've been missing a lot of morning classes lately, and I'm concerned about how it might affect your grades. Is everything okay?"

"I care about you, and I've noticed some changes in your habits that have me worried. Would you be open to talking about what's going on?"

"I'm not trying to judge you, but I'm concerned about how [specific behavior] might be affecting your health and our living situation. Can we talk about it?"

Don't be surprised if your roommate gets defensive at first – that's pretty common. Sometimes just mentioning your concern and then giving them space to think about it works better than pushing for them to change or admit anything right away.

Effective Approaches	Ineffective Approaches
Expressing specific concerns with compassion	Making accusatory statements or generalizations
Offering support and resources	Threatening or delivering ultimatums
Listening actively to their perspective	Dominating the conversation with lectures
Respecting their privacy and autonomy	Sharing their struggles with others without permission

When to Report or Get Help

While supporting your roommate matters, your own safety and well-being are just as important. The CDC reports that in 2020, an estimated 40.3 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S.—14.5% of this population—had a substance use disorder in the past year. These numbers show just how important it is to know when to call in professional help.

You should consider seeking outside help when:

• Your roommate's behavior poses an immediate danger to themselves or others
• Their substance use is directly impacting your academic performance or mental health
• They've experienced or come close to overdosing
• They're driving while intoxicated or engaging in other high-risk behaviors
• Your attempts to talk with them have been met with aggression or complete denial

Virtually every Indiana college campus has resident advisors (RAs) and counseling services with staff trained to handle substance use concerns. These resources can often step in while still maintaining confidentiality when appropriate. If you're facing an immediate emergency, don't hesitate to contact campus security or call 911.

Remember: If you're ever in doubt about whether a situation is an emergency, err on the side of caution and seek help immediately. You could be saving someone's life.

It's worth knowing that Indiana's Good Samaritan Law protects people who call for help during an overdose situation. This means you can call for emergency assistance without worrying about certain drug possession charges. Also, Narcan access Indiana is widespread – this life-saving medication (naloxone) that can reverse opioid overdoses is available without a prescription at most pharmacies across the state and through many campus health centers.

Local resources for Indiana students include:

• Indiana Recovery Alliance
• Indiana Addiction Hotline: 800-662-HELP (4357)
• Your campus counseling center
• Local Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, which are available in every corner of Indiana, from South Bend to Evansville

Supporting a roommate who might have substance use issues isn't easy, but your awareness and compassion can make a real difference. By recognizing the signs of substance use in college, knowing when to seek help, and approaching conversations with understanding, you're helping build stronger, healthier campus communities throughout the Hoosier state.