There are a growing number of services aimed at helping college students who are in recovery or struggling with a drug or alcohol problem. It’s no surprise since the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that Americans aged 18-24 are the fastest growing demographic group seeking treatment for substance abuse. SAMSHA data also indicates that the rate of heavy alcohol use is highest among Americans aged 20-22 and of that group, college student consumption is heaviest.
In an effort to accommodate the college student subset seeking treatment, we’re beginning to see more campuses support alcohol-free lifestyles. As of today, 20 colleges have collaborated to form the Association for Recovery in Higher Education and welcome sober students. Some of the participating schools include:
- Texas Tech University boasts a Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery with about 80 members in its “collegiate recovery community” which provides study-pods, recreational activities and campus 12-step meetings.
- The University of Michigan’s Collegiate Recovery Program offers recovery courses, counseling and drug- and alcohol-free activities.
- Penn State has allotted campus space and staff to its new student recovery program.
- Kennesaw State University in Georgia — one of the Association’s founding members — has a community of 50 members, up from just three students in 2008.
Students at Texas Tech, for example, are proof that sober programs work. Tech’s Center students have a 10-year graduation rate of 80% and a cumulative GPA of 3.34.
Campus sobriety is a privilege granted to those students willing to do the hard work of earning their degrees AND taking care of the precious commodity of living sober.
Locally, Purdue University's Counseling and Psychological Services department handles alcohol and drug services and programs and the Student Wellness Office works to educate students about alcohol and other drugs.
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