Recovery is just a phone call away. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (352) 771-2700

1
Search
Close this search box.

Best Colleges for Addiction Recovery

Table of Contents

These universities have addiction recovery resources that can help you or a loved one continue a substance-free life in college.

Addictionrecovery is a lifelong process that is usually made easier incontrolled environmentsthat are relatively free from triggers and temptation. Of course, life is full of uncontrollable circumstances andcollegeis no exception. The college environment will introduce you or your child to a wide variety of people, situations and experiences — some of which may influence recovery in a negative way.Drugandalcoholmisuse iscommon in college, so it’s important that people in recovery have support and resources to help them stay sober.

For people who are ready to go to college but are in recovery, there are universities around the country who offeraddiction resourcesto their students. It’s possible to have asober collegeexperience, especially with the support of these campus resources. Here are 10 of the bestcollege recoveryprograms in the U.S.

Augsburg University, StepUP Program

Located in Minneapolis, MN, Augsburg University offers one of the oldest and the largest collegerecovery supportcommunity in America through theStepUP program. The unique program is designed to create a community of accountability and support, and also addressesmental healthalong with addiction recovery. Students are offeredsubstance-free housingoptions, mentor programs, weekly meetings with others in recovery and much more. StepUP is led by trained staff members and licensed therapists and everything the program offers is at no additional cost to the student.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Live Free

The University of Wisconsin-Madison boasts apeer recovery support programcalledLive Free. The organization is run by students and focuses onwellness and recoverystrategies, including sober events, guest speakers, workshops and weekly group meetings. Their goal is to foster a sense of community among students who are sober or in recovery and make UW-Madison a place where all students can thrive.

Ready to Break Free From Addiction?

If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait—start your journey to recovery today.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Recovery Program

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Student Wellness programs offers students many resources to help them make healthy decisions about their substance use, including theirBASICS Alcohol Intervention Programand theCarolina Recovery Program, dedicated to helping students who are in recovery. Students are able to foster a relationship with arecovery mentor, attend workshops and take trips to sober events and conferences. Alongside these resources are day-to-day support services, such as group meetings and fellowship. The University of North Carolina also offerssober livinghouses to help students on theirrecovery journey.

University of Central Florida, Collegiate Recovery Community

The University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, Florida, offers acollegiate recovery communityfor students who wish tostay sober. The program is made possible by the university’s Student Health Services and it focuses on preventing, treating and helping students recover from substance misuse and addiction. Students are able to attend group recovery meetings, counseling and funsober events.

University of Colorado-Boulder, Collegiate Recovery Community and SoberBuffs

Located in Boulder, the University of Colorado-Boulder campus offers its owncollegiate recovery center. This program has a resource lounge where students can gather in asubstance-free environmentand the community offers sober activities and events as well as weekly meetings, support groups and one-on-one recovery coaching. Students who are in recovery can also choose to live insober housing. Another student organization,SoberBuffs, also plans weeklysober activitiesand events for students to celebrate sober and healthy living.

Fairfield University, Collegiate Recovery Program

Thecollegiate recovery programat Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut offers resources needed to support student sobriety and recovery. Along with a lounge where students can congregate, the program offersrecovery housing, addiction counseling, weekly meetings, community service opportunities and planned sober activities. The program also offers wellness programs that incorporate mind, body and spirit.

Mississippi State University, Collegiate Recovery Community

Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi is home to acollegiate recovery communitythat offers a variety of helpful recovery resources likepeer support groups, counseling, seminars, sober tailgating and many other fun events. Its mission is to promote courage, hope and citizenship in order to support students in recovery from alcohol, drugs and allprocess addictions.

Illinois State University, Collegiate Recovery Community

Illinois State University offers acollegiate recovery communityfor students in recovery or looking to lead asober life. The program offers recovery coaching, weekly drop-in groups, community service projects and social events. Sincevolunteering in recoverycan be a helpful way to stay sober and make a powerful impact on others, the university’s CRC also offers community service events and advocacy opportunities to raiseaddiction awarenessand end addiction stigma in the community.

University of Vermont, Catamount Recovery Program

Located in Burlington, Vermont, the University of Vermont’sCatamount Recovery Programis asober communitythat seeks tosupportand empower students who are in recovery. They offeralcohol-free and substance-free housingand provide services such as one-on-one coaching, counseling and group meetings. They also host service work opportunities as well as fun sober events and activities for students to enjoy.

Georgia Southern University, Center for Addiction Recovery

Students must apply to Georgia Southern University’sCenter for Addiction Recovery, a program designed specifically for students who are in long-termaddiction recovery. Students must be sober for at least six months before joining the program. When they join, they’ll attend weekly seminars and have the opportunity to attendrecovery conferencesand leadership retreats with other members. Members also have the exciting opportunity to participate in a soberstudy abroad in college, a special month-long program through the center.

Find A Center Near You

Find The Recovery Village Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Rehab nearest you.

Find Location

Sources

Augsburg University. “StepUP Program.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

Live Free. “Live Free.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

UNC Student Affairs. “Carolina Recovery Program.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

University of Central Florida. “Prevention, Treatment, Recovery. All in one place.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

University of Colorado Boulder. “Collegiate Recovery Center.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

University of Colorado Boulder. “SoberBuffs” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

Fairfield University. “Collegiate Recovery Program.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

Mississippi State University. “Collegiate Recovery Community.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

Illinois State University. “Collegiate Recovery Community.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

The University of Vermont. “Catamount Recovery Program.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

Georgia Southern University. “Center for Addiction Recovery.” (n.d.). Accessed July 17, 2019.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

Reach out now

We can help answer your questions and talk through any concerns.

Menu