How To Get An Alcoholic Out Of Your House

When you live with a friend or family member who’s also an alcoholic, you can feel pulled in two equally compelling directions. On one hand, you want to be as supportive as possible. But on the other hand, you know that change may not be possible unless they’re forced to face the consequences of their poor choices.

If you’re reading this now, you may be leaning in favor of the latter. If so, it’s important not to feel ashamed or disloyal. They say that to love is to accept, but sometimes loving a person means letting them face the consequences of their actions. In this guide, we’ll help you determine the severity of the problem and remove the person if it’s in your (and likely their) best interests.

Patience Runs Thin: Is There an Alcoholic in My House?

As alcohol use becomes more ingrained, it can affect a person’s behavior, health, or ability to carry out their daily responsibilities. The signs below reflect patterns commonly associated with alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder. These patterns usually develop over time and may become more noticeable as drinking increases in frequency or intensity.

• Increased Tolerance: The person needs larger amounts of alcohol to feel the same effects. They may consume more than they did in the past or drink stronger beverages to reach the desired level of intoxication.
• Loss of Control Over Drinking: Drinking continues beyond the intended limit, even when there was a plan to stop after a certain number of drinks. Attempts to cut back or stop may be unsuccessful, even when they really want to do so.
• Frequent Cravings: Strong urges to drink may appear at certain times of day or in response to stress or routine triggers. These cravings can make it difficult to focus on their family and work responsibilities, as well as other activities. Work performance may decline, deadlines may be missed, or responsibilities at home may be ignored. 
• Continued Use Despite Consequences: Drinking continues even after problems arise, such as health concerns, relationship conflict, or job loss. The person may recognize what they’re doing to themselves, but continue drinking anyway.
• Drinking in Risky Situations: The person may drink even in situations where they or others can get hurt, such as before driving or while supervising children. This behavior shows impaired judgment and reduced concern for safety.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Physical symptoms may flare up when their alcohol use is reduced or stopped. These responses can include shaking, sweating, nausea, headaches, anxiety, or trouble sleeping.
• Changes in Behavior or Mood: The person may become more irritable, withdrawn, or emotionally unstable. Mood changes may occur during drinking, shortly after, or during periods without alcohol.
• Using Alcohol to Cope: Alcohol is used to manage stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions rather than for social reasons. Over time, this pattern can replace healthier coping strategies.
• Loss of Interest in Activities: Hobbies, social activities, or personal interests may be reduced or abandoned. Time may instead be spent drinking or recovering from its effects.

When several of these patterns appear together, it may point to alcohol misuse. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we can help. We have alcohol rehab centers in the following locations:

California Rehabs, Colorado Rehabs, Illinois Rehabs, Texas Rehabs, and Pennsylvania Rehabs

When Should You Remove an Addict From Your Home?

Deciding to ask someone to leave your home is not about punishing them. It’s about staying safe, setting boundaries, and protecting your well-being or the well-being of others in the home. Certain patterns of behavior can signal that the situation has reached a point where living together is no longer possible. They include:

• Safety Risks Are Present: If the person becomes aggressive, threatens others, or creates unsafe conditions while drinking, safety must come first. This includes physical violence, reckless behavior, or actions that put others at risk.
• Repeated Boundary Violations: Clear rules about drinking in the home, behavior, or responsibilities have been set and repeatedly ignored. When boundaries are not respected over time, it can create an unstable living environment.
• Impact on Children or Other Vulnerable People: If children or others in the home are exposed to harmful behavior, emotional distress, or unsafe situations, action may be necessary. Their well-being should be a top priority.
• Severe Disruption of the Household: Ongoing drinking may lead to conflict, financial problems, or inability to maintain basic household routines. This can affect everyone living in the home, not just the person drinking.
• Refusal to Seek Help or Acknowledge the Problem: The person may deny there is an issue or refuse to consider treatment or support options. Without any willingness to address the behavior, the situation is less likely to improve.
• Escalating Behavior Over Time: Drinking patterns may become more frequent or more intense, with worsening consequences. Escalation can indicate that the situation is becoming harder to manage safely.

Substance use disorder sufferers may also experience mental health problems. These issues may make them violent toward others and themselves or prompt them to use dangerously poor judgment. Some signs of aggression or criminal activity include:

• Making violent threats toward you or others
• Harming themselves
• Attempting to assault you or others
• Destroying household items
• Stealing money or other items
• Bringing suspicious people into the home
• Lurking close to others’ homes when not invited

Removing someone from your home can be emotionally difficult, especially if you care about them. It may help to speak with a caring friend, counselor, or support group before taking that step. But that doesn’t mean you should hesitate if the situation is dire: setting boundaries and protecting your safety are both paramount, no matter how guilty you may feel.

How to Remove an Alcoholic Tenant

If you have a tenant in your home and their drinking is creating serious problems, you can’t remove them immediately or force them out on your own. The law treats them as tenants first, regardless of the reason for the conflict. That means you need to follow a formal eviction process. While the exact timelines vary by state, the steps below reflect how eviction typically works in most U.S. jurisdictions.

• Confirm That They’re Legally a Tenant: A person is usually considered a tenant if they pay rent, receive mail at the address, or have lived there for a period of time, even without a written lease. If they qualify as a tenant, they have legal rights to remain in the home until they receive proper notice and court procedures are followed.
• Identify the Legal Reason for Eviction: You can’t evict someone simply for having an alcohol problem. You need a valid legal basis, such as nonpayment of rent, property damage, lease violations, or behavior that disturbs others or creates safety risks. For example, repeated intoxication that leads to threats, noise complaints, or damage to the home may qualify as a lease violation.
• Document Specific Incidents: Keep detailed records of what’s happened, including dates, times, and descriptions of incidents. This may include missed rent payments, damage to property, police involvement, or complaints from others in the home. Written documentation, photos, or messages can support your case if it goes to court.
• Serve a Written Notice to Vacate or Cure the Issue: Before filing in court, you must give written notice. This notice will either give the tenant time to fix the issue, such as paying rent or stopping certain behavior, or it will state that they must move out by a specific date. The required notice period depends on your state, but it’s often 3, 7, or 30 days, depending on the situation.
• File an Eviction Case in Court if They Don’t Leave: If the tenant doesn’t comply with the notice, the next step is to file an eviction complaint with your local court. The court will schedule a hearing where both sides can present evidence. You’ll need to show that you followed the notice requirements and that there’s a valid legal reason for eviction.
• Attend the Court Hearing and Present Evidence: At the hearing, you can present your documentation, lease agreement, and records of behavior. The tenant will also have a chance to respond. The judge will decide whether the eviction is legally justified.
• Enforce the Eviction: If the court rules in your favor, it will issue an order for the tenant to leave. If they still don’t move out, a sheriff or court officer will carry out the removal. You can’t legally change the locks, remove their belongings, or force them out without this step.

How to Remove a Family Member or Another Loved One from Your Home

Removing a family member or someone close to you from your home can be emotionally challenging, especially when alcohol use is involved. The approach you take depends on whether the person is considered a tenant under your state’s laws. As we’ve explained, even without a formal lease, someone who has lived in your home for a period of time may still have legal rights that prevent immediate removal.

• Determine Their Legal Status in the Home: A family member may be considered a tenant if they’ve lived in your home for an extended period, receive mail there, or contribute financially. If that’s the case, you may need to follow formal eviction procedures. If they are a short-term guest, you may have more flexibility in asking them to leave.
• Communicate Clear Expectations First: Before you pursue eviction, it can help to explain what behavior needs to change and what will happen if it doesn’t. This conversation should be direct and calm, with clear boundaries about safety, substance use, and respect within the home.
• Provide Written Notice to Leave: If the person doesn’t leave voluntarily, you may need to give written notice stating when they must move out. Even for family members, this step can be important if the situation later escalates to legal action.
• Avoid Self-Help Removal: You can’t legally force someone out by changing locks, removing their belongings, or shutting off utilities if they have tenant rights. Taking those steps can create legal problems for you, even if you own the home.
• File for Eviction if Necessary: If the person qualifies as a tenant and refuses to leave, you may need to file an eviction case in court. The court will review the situation and determine whether removal is permitted.
• Consider Safety Measures if Needed: If the person’s behavior has become aggressive or unpredictable, your safety comes first. In those situations, you may consider contacting local authorities or seeking a protective order, depending on the circumstances.

This situation can be extremely hard, especially when the person is someone you care about. Setting limits in your home doesn’t mean you are giving up on them. If it feels safe to do so, you can provide information about treatment or support services, but you don’t have to keep someone in your home if their behavior creates risk or instability.

Removing an Alcoholic From Your Home? Do It the Right Way!

Removing someone from your home can be painful and challenging, but sometimes it’s the best option for you and other members of the household. At the same time, alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that can improve with the right care. Many people who struggle with alcohol use are able to regain control of their lives through treatment, counseling, and support. Change is possible, even if it does not happen immediately.

If someone you care about is struggling with alcohol use, support is available. Sunshine Behavioral Health offers treatment programs that address both substance use and the underlying factors that contribute to it. We have facilities across California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, so call our admissions team at 844-521-0217 for a free, confidential consultation. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Removing An Alcoholic From A Home

What if the Alcoholic is a Minor?

In most cases, you can’t simply remove a minor from your home because they’re abusing alcohol. Parents or legal guardians have a legal duty to provide care, supervision, and housing for their child until they reach the age of majority (usually 18). Forcing a minor to leave without proper arrangements can be considered neglect or abandonment in many states.

That said, you do have options if alcohol use is creating safety concerns:

• Set Clear Rules and Consequences: You can establish firm boundaries around alcohol use, behavior, and safety in the home. Consequences can include loss of privileges, increased supervision, or required counseling.
• Seek Professional Help: Alcohol use in minors is often linked to underlying issues such as stress, trauma, or mental health concerns. A licensed counselor, pediatrician, or treatment provider can assess the situation and recommend next steps.
• Use Community or Treatment Programs: Outpatient or residential programs for teens may be appropriate if the behavior is ongoing or severe. These programs provide supervision and support.
• Consider Legal or Court Intervention: In some cases, parents can seek help through the court system, such as filing a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) or similar petition (name varies by state). This can lead to court-ordered services or placement outside the home.
• Prioritize Safety: If the minor’s behavior becomes dangerous to themselves or others, you may need to involve local authorities or emergency services to stabilize the situation.

You’re responsible for your child’s care, so removal isn’t something you can usually do on your own. But you are not stuck in your situation: you can bring in addiction professionals, set firm boundaries, and implement relevant programs.

Can Alcohol Use Be Linked to Underlying Mental Health Issues?

Yes, alcohol use is frequently connected to underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress-related disorders. Some people begin drinking as a way to manage emotional discomfort or cope with difficult experiences. Over time, this pattern can reinforce both the alcohol use and the underlying condition. 

When both are present, treatment usually addresses them together rather than separately. Identifying these contributing factors can help guide more effective care and reduce the likelihood of repeated alcohol use after treatment.

What Happens if Someone Refuses Treatment for Alcohol Use?

A person can’t usually be forced into treatment unless certain criteria are met. In some states, involuntary commitment laws allow family members to petition a court if the individual presents a danger to themselves or others due to substance use. Outside of those situations, treatment is typically voluntary. 

Even if someone refuses help, you can still set boundaries within your home and limit behaviors that create risk or disruption. Encouraging treatment, providing information, and maintaining consistent expectations can sometimes influence a person’s willingness to seek help over time.