Students Making Greater Strides towards Sobriety

As of late, the University of Texas joined the legions of schools across the country who are jumping on the recovery bandwagon. Instead of sitting back and watching headline after headline of another student tragedy due to alcohol or drug overdose, students have decided to take matters into their own hands and run a new program called The Center for Students in Recovery.

The program is largely run by other students, so it helps their fellow peers feel more comfortable when seeking out help. Moreover, the center is cleverly located within the football stadium. This way, recovering addicts can interact with the student athletes on campus; providing a positive influence on the ever-vulnerable students in the midst of recovery.

Students not only mentor one another, they also make sure to create bonds with one other, so as to monitor potential relapses and other behaviors to be wary of. The community of students in recovery also focuses not only on helping one another, but also on giving back to their community by participating in volunteer projects and speaking at high schools and other substance abuse centers around the area.

According to student Lizette Smith, “what it really gave me was an environment where it was safe to socialize. It also provided me with a lot of outlets. It gave me opportunities to volunteer and meet new people. And it really built my self-esteem.”

Currently, about 135 colleges across the country have enacted recovery programs for their students – up 125 schools compared to just 10 years ago.