A collegiate recovery program (CRP) is a college- or university-provided supportive environment within the campus culture that reinforces the decision to engage in a lifestyle of recovery from addiction. It is designed to provide an educational opportunity alongside recovery support to ensure that students do not have to sacrifice one for the other.

To meet the needs of this growing population of recovering young adults as they pursue their educations, several colleges and universities have developed collegiate recovery communities to help young adults in recovery maintain their abstinence while pursuing their educations.

Once associated mainly with 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, “recovery” is now a widely accepted concept. Most people who self-identify as being “in recovery” from substance use disorders say it means not only abstaining from all mind-altering substances (i.e., sobriety), but also embracing a positive view of personal growth and self-improvement.

• Addiction treatment professionals understand recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”
• Recovery is seen as an ongoing process rather than a cure, although it might be easier to sustain recovery after many years of abstinence.
• Recovery requires ongoing support to sustain abstinence to prevent relapse.
• Establishing a strong support network of pro-abstinence peers is seen as critically important.
• Spending time in situations where alcohol and drugs are being used can intensify cravings, and continuing to interact with friends who drink and use drugs is one of the most reliable predictors of relapse.
• Parents and other caregivers have an important role to play as well in helping their children maintain recovery.