Trajectory of Substance Use Disorders and Collegiate Recovery in Emerging Adults

Abstract Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) provide services to support emerging adults achieve academic success, while maintaining substance use disorder recovery. College and university campuses can often be considered abstinence-hostile environments, giving rise to the need of support services for students in recovery. A nationwide survey to understand the efficacy of services provided by CRPs was conducted to assess the demographics and academic profiles of students involved with CRPs. Co-occurring disorders including mental health issues, criminal histories, utilizations of recovery services and 12-step groups, and work histories of students were also assessed. CRPs can provide services and an environment to students that increase recovery capital domains. Recovery capital domains such as spirituality, health and wellness, academics, critical thinking and discernment, personal achievement, and service opportunities may be related to metrics of academic success such as grade point average. However, measuring success for those in substance use disorder recovery through academics metrics alone could present a barrier to improving recovery services. Assessing the effectiveness of CRP programs through the lens of recovery capital offers a strengths-based, wholistic approach to improving services for students in recovery. Future directions include administering comprehensive measurements for recovery success, in addition to academic metrics, for students that are members of CRP. Keywords: Substance Use Recovery; Emerging Adults; Collegiate Recovery Program