Recovery on Campus: The Growing Impact of Collegiate Recovery Programs

When people picture college life, a familiar image often comes to mind: young adults attending sporting events, pulling all-nighters, and navigating newfound independence—sometimes with alcohol or other substances in the mix. While that narrative still applies to some, it doesn’t reflect the full picture of today’s diverse and evolving student body.

Among today’s college students are individuals in recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health challenges. These students bring lived experience, resilience, and a determination to thrive in an environment where substance use is often normalized. Yet the traditional college culture can be isolating—or even risky—for students committed to sobriety.

“Students in recovery are not just navigating academic life,” says Dr. Meri Shadley, emeritus faculty and founding director of the Nevada Recovery and Prevention (NRAP) program at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). “They’re rebuilding their lives and identities—and they deserve to do that in a supportive community.”

What Are Collegiate Recovery Programs?

Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) are campus-based support systems designed to help students maintain recovery while achieving academic success. According to the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE):

“A collegiate recovery program is a supportive environment within the campus culture that reinforces the decision to engage in a lifestyle of recovery from substance use. It provides a community of students in recovery, peer support, and access to recovery services, all while supporting students’ educational goals” (ARHE, 2019).

CRPs typically offer:

• Peer-driven recovery meetings
• Academic support and coaching
• Sober social events and wellness programs
• A dedicated physical space for students to gather
• Leadership and mentorship opportunities

Research shows that students in CRPs have higher GPAs and graduation rates than their peers, and that participation in recovery communities significantly improves both academic and recovery outcomes (Laudet et al., 2014; Laudet et al., 2015).

A Grassroots Movement Gains Momentum

The first seeds of collegiate recovery were planted in the late 1970s, but the movement truly gained traction in the early 2000s when Texas Tech University formalized its program and received a SAMHSA grant to support replication. That grant helped develop a four-step framework for other schools to launch similar efforts:

1. Creating the Vision
2. Making the Vision a Reality
3. Putting the Program to Work
4. Program Evaluation (Laudet et al., 2014)

Dr. Shadley notes that in those early years, most schools had to piece together their recovery programs based on available resources and internal champions. “There wasn’t a single blueprint,” she says. “Each program had to be uniquely designed to fit the culture and needs of the institution.”

That’s where ARHE stepped in. Founded in the mid-2000s, ARHE became the coordinating body that brought institutions together, offered best practice guidelines, hosted national conferences, and created community for students and staff alike.

NRAP: Nevada’s Collegiate Recovery Model

In 2011, Dr. Shadley and Daniel Fred co-founded the Nevada Recovery and Prevention (NRAP) program at UNR, with funding from the Stacie Mathewson Foundation and Transforming Youth Recovery (TYR). NRAP became a national model for integrating recovery support within student services. Its structure includes:

• A peer-led drop-in center
• Daily wellness and recovery meetings
• Academic and leadership support
• Three levels of student engagement
• Inclusive policies for students in recovery, allies, and those considering sobriety

UNR institutionalized the program in 2015, formally funding staff positions and dedicating permanent space on campus. NRAP also hosted the 5th annual ARHE National Collegiate Recovery Conference that same year.

“Connection and accountability are two of the most powerful protective factors for students in recovery,” Dr. Shadley explains. “NRAP offers both—along with a sense of purpose.”

Recovery Across the Nevada System

Other institutions in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) have followed suit in creative and community-driven ways:

• Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) created a peer-led recovery club that reflects the needs of its largely nontraditional, commuter student body.
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) developed a “sober bubble” approach for commuter students to connect on campus through study groups, fitness, and peer meetings.

These programs illustrate that recovery support doesn’t have to follow a one-size-fits-all model. What matters is that students have access to peer connection, institutional support, and opportunities to grow.

Why Collegiate Recovery Matters Now More Than Ever

Substance use remains a serious concern among college-aged youth. Nearly 60% of full-time students aged 18–22 reported using alcohol in the past month, and 20% met the criteria for alcohol use disorder (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2023). Traditional treatment models alone are not enough. Long-term recovery is supported by community, structure, and meaningful engagement—especially during the critical developmental period of emerging adulthood (Laudet et al., 2014).

Thanks to organizations like ARHE and TYR, the collegiate recovery movement is expanding. CRPs help fill this gap. They offer students more than abstinence—they offer a path to belonging, purpose, and academic success. More than 150 CRPs now exist across the country, and new federal and philanthropic support continues to make recovery on campus more accessible and inclusive. As Dr. Shadley puts it: “We’re not just helping students stay sober—we’re helping them envision a life where they thrive.”