The research into the effectiveness of micro-dosed psychedelic chemicals upon mental health therapies continues to grow. This research article shows promising results, warranting further studies, for the use of pure MDMA (not street ecstasy or molly) to help treat social anxiety in adults on the Autism spectrum. Famous as a profound empathogen, MDMA appears to facilitate social interactions; 77% of the individuals studied in this trial reported the MDMA therapies made it "easier to talk to other people," notably the clinicians with whom they were working (Danforth, et al, 2015).



Danforth AL, et al, MDMA-assisted therapy: A new treatment model for social anxiety in autistic adults, Prog NeuroPsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.03.011

What is the main reason you chose collegiate recovery?

A key cog in the SUD recovery support continuum is the emergence of academic-based peer supports, notably Collegiate Recovery Centers (CRC), Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRP), and Recovery High Schools (RHS). For young people in early or long-term recovery, realizing a purpose-driven existence, together with a network of contemporaneous peers who share in the joys and challenges of academic life in recovery, is indispensable. This research article qualitatively analyzes students' self-reported experiences with collegiate recovery and their chief reasons for joining their respective programs.
In the comment thread below, please feel free to post your reasons for getting involved in a CRC, CRP, or RHS...


Alexandre B. Laudet PhD, Kitty Harris PhD, Thomas Kimball PhD, Ken C.
Winters PhD & D. Paul Moberg PhD (2016) In college and in recovery: Reasons for joining
a Collegiate Recovery Program, Journal of American College Health, 64:3, 238-246, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2015.1117464

UNT CRP OBJECTIVES: Promote recovery from substance use disorders, behavioral (process) addictions, and mental health illness by providing support and services to self-identified recovering college students

By creating a climate of openness at colleges and universities across the United States, more students will feel like they are able to be recovery from a multitude of disorders regarding substance use, addiction, and mental health. Recovery at a young age is a difficult and often shameful process regarding college, and not having resources to combat the issues during such a stressful time can cause higher dropout rates, or many people not attending college at all due to an obvious lack of available resources. With the UNT CRP being an integrated program not only for substance misuse, but behavioral and mental health, UNT is working to create and prosper more resources for students. A hefty percentage of the dropout rate for college freshmen is due to mental health concerns, which are typically co-occurring with substance use disorders. More students can successfully complete degrees while at college by utilizing resources at a college level. With an increased level of advocacy for these concerns, more people can attend college, complete degrees, and in turn successfully be members of the ever growing educated workforce. 

K.F.

UNT CRP Objectives: Provide formalized training courses for workforce development in the peer recovery, addiction treatment and prevention fields

The Collegiate Recovery Program at University of North Texas provides formalized training courses for workforce development in the peer recovery, addiction treatment, and prevention fields. As a program within the Department of Disability and Addiction Rehabilitation, many opportunities are available to the student staff and members of the program. We have held trainings for Peer Recovery Coaching, SMART recovery, Mental Health First Aid, among many others. We believe in equipping our students with a comprehensive toolbox on which to draw for the betterment of each person in recovery and future professionals in the field of substance misuse. We regularly partner with other prevention efforts on campus, and off, to increase awareness and educate people to make healthy and informed choices. Staff members of our program have also been active in assisting professionals become more holistic and recovery-focused by working with the department to disseminate SAMSHA’s Recovery-to-Practice Initiative in the State of Texas. We believe in empowering our students, and we believe in affecting change on a wider scale, through advocacy and education.

-T.W.

UNT CRP Objectives: Empower students to promote quality of life improvements

"The first objective of the Collegiate Recovery Program at UNT is to empower our students to promote quality of life improvements. Our program depends on the peer to peer support to build the recovery community we have here at UNT.  Recovery is a lifelong journey.  Through case management and peer recovery coaching we work to guide our students to become experts in their own recovery.  By sharing new skills and working with students to build their own recovery toolkits, they learn what helps make them stronger in their own recovery.  As we recover together, we each get stronger in our own recovery.  By empowering our students to take charge in their own recovery they start working towards additional goals in their lives.  Our students are learning empowerment and realizing they have the power and control over their lives and their future.  With increased academic goals new standards are being set.  Involvement in our recovery community is reducing student isolation.  The Collegiate Recovery Program at UNT is giving students the opportunity to regain a positive identity, find a sense of purpose and value, and work on becoming the person they want to be."

-

A.C.

Some of our objectives that we follow here at the CRP are "Emphasize social support as a mechanism for initiating positive lifestyle changes"

My first stint in college went miserably. Not only did I not have community, but I didn’t have the confidence to find one. I think the University tried very hard to set me up for success, but with 50,000 students, just ended up crippling me with a false sense of security. When I needed support services, they just did not come through. However, UNT became a different story entirely. I don’t say that because that’s where I ended up, attempting to make the best of my decisions. What I have done to get this far has culminated in a beautiful family that I call the CRP. Every choice that I made, every wrong turn, every hill climbed, it got me here.

Granted, for a long time, there was no progress. For a long time I didn’t try very hard at anything. I wanted to take the easy way out, and because I was smart I got away with it. I figured out I could work a system in my favor, I did. I didn’t trust other people, or delegate responsibilities, or concede to anyone interfering with anything I had deemed important. I was insistent that I could do things my way, using my methods, on my time. However, having this community and being a part of this program has taught me that it’s not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable enough to let others in, to give them a chance to see the real you, and care about you anyway. It’s selfless to let go, and be strong enough to admit things to other people, allow them to judge you, to be as authentic as you can. When you are authentic, you gravitate towards others like you. You create something that you didn’t think you needed, became part of something bigger than yourself. You start serving other people and gain confidence and security from that. Then, all of a sudden, you also have this family that you chose and you made and that you love and who love you in return. It makes recovery so much easier and more tangible, because now I have something to show for myself. I have all these people who love me. I changed, I became someone worth loving. And that’s what community has done for me. 

-F.C.

Some of our objectives that we follow here at the CRP are Enhance a substance-free and responsible-use campus climate.

The UNT CRP supports a substance-free and responsible use climate on the campus of the University of North Texas. A university campus is an atmosphere that is less than conducive, and, often times, hostile to individuals living a recovery lifestyle or just simply seeking a relatively substance-free life. We believe in mitigating risks and advocate for a culture on campus that is well-informed and non-judgmental in prevention efforts. We establish our presence by being visible, tabling about the campus at various events, and promoting and collaborating on substance-free recreation for the entire student body to attend. Our goal is to establish a collegiate culture that is friendly to those who choose abstinence, and if students are to consume substances, they have all the correct information available to make healthy choices.