The Recovery Landscape: Milestones, Current Trends, and Future Directions

This session will provide a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) since 1977, examining their integral role in the broader alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) landscape on college campuses. We will discuss how the dynamic drug landscape and the expanding field of recovery services continue to shape CRPs today. Participants will leave with a nuanced understanding of how CRPs can not only support students’ sobriety goals but also contribute to campus-wide initiatives aimed at reducing substance misuse and promoting wellness.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will explore the evolution of CRPs from grassroots beginnings to a critical component of campus-wide systems, highlighting the critical roles of peer support, community-building, and institutional backing in their success.
• Participants will examine emerging challenges and resource gaps in collegiate recovery while exploring the integration of CRPs within ATOD and mental health frameworks.
• Participants will learn strategies for creating inclusive, sustainable recovery environments and explore approaches to integrating academic success, mental health, and peer networks into recovery efforts.