Collegiate Recovery Communities Programs: What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know?

Abstract

As the broad construct of recovery increasingly guides addiction services and policy, federal agencies have called for the expansion of peer-driven recovery support services. The high prevalence of substance use and abuse in colleges and universities in the U.S. constitute a significant obstacle to pursuing an education for the unknown number of youths who have attained remission from substance use dependence. Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) are an innovative and growing model of peer-driven recovery support delivered on college campuses. Although no systematic research has examined CRPs, available site-level records suggest encouraging outcomes: low relapse rates and above average academic achievement. The number of CRPs nationwide is growing, but there is a noticeable lack of data on the model, its students and their outcomes. We review the literature supporting the need for the expansion of CRPs, present information on the diversity of CRP services and outline key areas where research is needed.

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Recent Research on Substance Use Disorder Recovery Management

“…Individuals 18 to 25 represent over half the people in drug courts and the fastest growing segment of people with opioid use disorders. Promising approaches such as campus-based collegiate recovery programs (CRPs; [55]) are increasingly being implemented and have started to capture the attention of researchers [56] but will require prospective studies to reach definitive conclusions about their usefulness. Similarly, smart phone technology has a high potential to reach this critical age group and requires formal evaluation.…”

The Experiences of College Students in Recovery From Substance Use Disorders

“…CRCs aim to create an environment for students in recovery to experience a sense of belonging and connectedness to others without using drugs or alcohol and to foster successful recovery while interacting with the often substance-saturated college environment (Cleveland, Harris, Baker, Herbert, & Dean, 2007;Harris, Baker, & Cleveland, 2010). Although the prevalence of CRCs has grown, only approximately 600 students participated in such communities in 2013 (Laudet, Harris, Kimball, Winters, & Moberg, 2014). Detailed information about CRCs has been provided by DePue and Hagedorn (2015), Harris et al (2010), and Laudet et al (2014), and an updated database of CRC programs is maintained by the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (www.collegiaterecovery.org).…”

“…Although the prevalence of CRCs has grown, only approximately 600 students participated in such communities in 2013 (Laudet, Harris, Kimball, Winters, & Moberg, 2014). Detailed information about CRCs has been provided by DePue and Hagedorn (2015), Harris et al (2010), and Laudet et al (2014), and an updated database of CRC programs is maintained by the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (www.collegiaterecovery.org).…”

In college and in recovery: Reasons for joining a Collegiate Recovery Program

“…24 Initially started some three decades ago, CRPs have grown rapidly in the past decade, from 4 in 2004 to close to 50 at this writing, with numerous others in the early stages of development. 20 According to Transforming Youth Recovery, a foundation dedicated to promoting recovery in academic settings, close to 100 institutions of higher education nationwide are at various stages of providing (or developing) recovery supports. This broad survey includes CRPs as well as other models including recovery housing; its findings speak to the increasing recognition of the importance of meeting recovering students’ needs on campus.…”