Support college recovery programs
Recommendation
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) should identify successful college recovery programs, including "recovery housing" on college campuses, and provide support and technical assistance to increase the number and capacity of high-quality programs to help students in recovery.[1]
Background/summary
Young adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rates of substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol use disorder, compared to other age groups.[2] Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRP) provide supportive environments within campus culture for college and university students in recovery from SUDs.[3] There are more than 150 CRPs on college and university campuses nationally.[3] However, the diversity of models and practices has not been well documented.[4] Identifying best practices, which include dedicated space, trained staff, programs supporting recovery, and peer support,[3] and providing support and technical assistance, should be a priority for the ONDCP, SAMHSA, and DOE to increase the number and capacity of CRPs.[1]
citations
1. Presidential Commission. The President’s Commission On Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. Last Updated November 1, 2017.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Last Updated October 2021.
3. Association of Recovery in Higher Education. Homepage. Last Accessed July 26, 2023.
4. Castedo, Sierra and Lori Holleran Steiker. 2017. 9 Collegiate Recovery Programs for Emerging Adults. Emerging Adults and Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Developmental considerations and Innovative Approaches,196-218. Last Accessed July 31, 2023.