A university or college campus can be described as an abstinence hostile environment. For students in recovery from alcohol or drug use, they arrive into a culture that is often fuelled by the very things they are abstaining. Sobriety can create a disconnect from peers and reduces opportunities to socialise and have fun away from studies. University life can be stressful and coupled with student lifestyles, increases the risk for students in recovery returning to use. Stigma associated with addiction is a barrier to declaring recovery status further increasing isolation.

A collegiate recovery programme on campus offers students a ready-made community, peer support and sober accommodation. For the University, the benefits of students focussed on studies as opposed to partying are obvious. My onsite learning at six Collegiate Recovery Programmes and the Association of Recovery in Higher Education in North America demonstrated the benefits to the students, their families and the universities. The early-stage findings at Teesside University are positive and although low in numbers, we have achieved recognition of the benefits and greater understanding of the needs of students in recovery by the University.