title: Characteristics of students participating in collegiate recovery programs: a national survey.
abstract: Relapse rates are high among individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), and for young people pursuing a college education, the high rates of substance use on campus can jeopardize recovery. Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) are an innovative campus-based model of recovery support that is gaining popularity but remains under-investigated. This study reports on the first nationwide survey of CRP-enrolled students (N = 486 from 29 different CRPs). Using an online survey, we collected information on background, SUD and recovery history, and current functioning. Most students (43% females, mean age =26) had used multiple substances, had high levels of SUD severity, high rates of treatment and 12-step participation. Fully 40% smoke. Many reported criminal justice involvement and periods of homelessness. Notably, many reported being in recovery from, and currently engaging in multiple behavioral addictions-e.g., eating disorders, and sex and love addiction. Findings highlight the high rates of co-occurring addictions in this under-examined population and underline the need for treatment, recovery support programs and college health services to provide integrated support for mental health and behavioral addictions to SUD--affected young people.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Addictions and Recovery, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., New York City, NY 10010, USA. Electronic address: alexandrelaudet@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alexandre B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Laudet
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1160, USA.
authors.forename: Kitty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1160, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kimball
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Ken C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: D Paul
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Moberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Addiction; College students; Recovery; Recovery support services; Substance use disorder