For a college student in recovery from alcohol or drugs, the college experience can pose some significant challenges. Social life is a large part of the college experience and partying is seen as a right of passage into social circles. According to the NIH, almost 60 percent of college students ages 18–22 drank alcohol in the past month,1 and almost 2 out of 3 of them engaged in binge drinking during that same timeframe. It seems alcohol has a strong presence in college communities which is why it is important for students – both in sobriety at a student rehab program and those who are not – to be aware of these factors when entering. Students will try drugs for a variety of reasons but generally, they stem from stress, courseload, curiosity, and peer pressure. Drugs like Marijuana, Xanax, and Adderall are common, but alcohol is the most prevalent during these years. Juggling academics, a social life, and personal health is a difficult task. Drugs at first feel like a remedy for sociability, relaxation, and even academics, but unfortunately, students end up dropping one ball trying to focus on another. It is no secret partying and drinking is a common occurrence in college, but most people (students and parents) do not feel there is much harm in it. For the most part, students are able to balance both their social life and academics, but there are others who end up relying on alcohol and drugs as a crutch and therefore can fall into a negative cycle. For instance, building a social network is a large part of the college experience and alcohol seems to help break down the barriers associated. Bars and nightclubs are also the conventional means for having fun and meeting people. Because of these two things, drinking is a common occurrence for almost 60 percent of college students. While drinking can help improve a person’s social life, there are unintended health consequences. Partying typically involves binge drinking and a deprivation of sleep – leading to a decrease in physical and mental health – which ultimately leads to a decline in an academic performance. This decline can lead to pressure and stress leading to a potential for drug usages like marijuana, Xanax, or Adderall.
Collegiate Recovery Communities
When nightclubs, bars and partying is the standard for college culture, students must go out of their way to avoid it. This is where collegiate recovery programs come into play. These types of programs help build a community of like-minded people who can meet people and have fun without the use of alcohol or drugs. By establishing a safe and sober community early on, students are then able to focus on their academics. Collegiate Recovery Communities are for everyone who does not wish to partake in drug usage, but they have been optimized specifically for students currently in recovery. Coalition Recovery works with a variety of college students at various stages of the academic process. For some individuals, college has been something of a goal not yet pursued. In these cases, we help facilitate the processes for the admittance into a university. Other individuals have developed a drug dependence while in college. In these cases, we work with the university to navigate the various protocols to get them help all while keeping their education intact. For many students re-entering campus, post-treatment can prove difficult because they are afraid of returning to the many “triggers” they once faced. To combat these issues CRC’s offer a safe space for students in recovery and more importantly a social community to rely on. The feeling of belonging is important, and isolation can put them at a greater risk for relapse. Many of the previous social circles they have been integrated with in the past will most likely be an unhealthy fit. CRC allow these individuals a chance to change their life for the better by surrounding themselves with others who have a healthier influence.
Collegiate Recovery Housing
Various colleges around the country also include housing into their Collegiate Recovery Communities. Through the inclusion of housing, students in recovery can live, study, and have fun all without the common pressures and triggers of everyday college life. A collegiate Recovery Community might very well have its own designated staff coordinators and supervision in recovery to help guide students along their path of recovery, The idea of these Collegiate Recovery Communities is to not only build a community of like-minded individuals looking to stay sober, but to help these students remain connected, maintain their sobriety, and continue to be a part of the collegiate community. Treatment will teach an individual the importance of sobriety, but collegiate recovery communities will help keep them safe and sober.
How and Where To Find Them
Sober communities are available in almost every university and many community colleges. Universities should have information posted on their site but if not, the Association of Recovery in Higher Education is a useful resource. While attending Coalition Recovery’s Student Program, our case management team will facilitate this process for you all while in treatment. We are partnered with a variety of universities (UT, USF, and HCC among others) to provide a clean transition into sober living and communities. While Coalition Recovery is partnered with a variety of colleges, we can facilitate these processes almost anywhere. Our case manager will contact the university’s counseling center to find out if collegiate recovery communities exist and what other services are available to students in recovery. These can include but are not limited to housing, staff-partner program, scholarships, counseling, clubs and local meetings. Finding your life’s purpose and gaining independence are our main two pillars of recovery for success. Education will help accomplish both of these pillars which is why we put so much emphasis on achieving a higher education. We also realize college can pose some significant challenges for individuals in recovery; which is why we work with you and your respective colleges to set you up for success. Collegiate Recovery Communities help build a social web of like-minded individuals all on the same path to achieve their life goals without the need to use drugs or alcohol. Learn more about Coalition Recovery’s Renaissance Program and how we help individuals achieve their dreams of success through education and job management.
