‘Everyone wants a community’: a qualitative investigation of the challenges and service needs among college students in recovery

Abstract

Background: Problem drinking and illicit drug use is prevalent among college students, which can pose challenges for students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). Collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) are emerging across the U.S. in order to provide support services for these students. Yet the population of college students in recovery still remains understudied. The objectives of this research were to explore (1) perceived service needs, and (2) opinions about the logistics of a CRP among a sample of college students in recovery.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 students who self-identified as being in recovery from SUDs. Interviews were transcribed and coded using content analysis.

Results: The sample of students was slightly older than traditional college students (M= 25 years). Due to age and lifestyle differences, such as sobriety, these students often felt isolated and unable to relate to the wider student body. Students also felt limited in their options for recovery support services and they expressed the desire for a formalized on-campus community, such as a CRP. Most stressed that a CRP should have flexibility in program acceptance and maintenance in order to serve all students in need.

Conclusions: The results suggest the need to for college campuses, both in the US and abroad, to conduct assessments of the perceived need for recovery support services among students. While substance abuse services may be available, students may not feel they are adequate to support their unique needs as both as a student and in recovery from SUDs.

Keywords:

• Recovery
• alcohol
• other drugs
• college students

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Karishma Patel, Kianna Thomas, and Kate Carmody for their assistance with data collection. The Division of Student Affairs and the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities program at the College of Charleston partially funded this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or presentation of this research project.