Information for Recovering Students
Advice on dealing with the stress of college life
Genetic pre-disposition and other bio-chemical factors of alcoholism/drug addiction/depression/eating disorders/etc
12 Step Information
Other Programs (not 12 Step based)
Some Humor
Advice on dealing with the stress of college life
The college environment can be one of the most powerful influences for relapsing. Be realistic about the factors that set you up for relapse and make a plan on how you will deal with each factor. Have a backup plan as well! Make sure you keep your sponsor's phone number/email address handy. Develop a plan with your therapist before you leave home.
Anecdotal information from recovering/relapsing students have revealed that most recovering students feel awkward about telling other students about their recovery/treatment, and would sooner like to pretend that they can drink just like 'everyone else.' They report seeing other students doing the same behaviors that they, themselves, use to do when their addiction was active. The impression leaves the recovering (yet still a dry drunk) student to think that they are like everyone else and can drink.
Many recovering students 'forget' to go to meetings or therapy sessions, thus setting themselves up for relapse. To avoid this set up, make an appointment with a therapist here, on campus or in the community, before you actually return to campus. Check out the meeting schedule here in Nashville, and make definite plans to go to a meeting within the first 24-36 hours on campus.
How are you going to socialize without drinking? No one can really tell if you are ready to go back into the drinking social scene . . . it's a risk, no matter how long your sobriety is. For the first semester (at least), plan out your recreation and social scene by researching what alcohol-free events there are on campus. Check out the University Calendar and the Outdoor Recreation Program. Make sure you have plans for the weekend by Thursday afternoon, or else Friday night will come and your need to have some fun will be strong and the partying temptations even stronger.
Stay in contact with your support system. Not sure if you have an adequate support system? Try this worksheet to explore the different types of support people you will need to stay sober/clean.
Genetic Pre-disposition and other bio-chemical factors of alcoholism/drug addiction
Self Help Information: 12 Step Programs
Schedule of local meetings
Friendship House, 202 23rd North Avenue (327-3909) has many meetings during the week, but they recommend the Friday, 6:30pm Beginners Meeting and the Saturday, 6:30 and 10:00 pm meeting for young adults. For recreational needs, contact the Tennessee Conference of Young Peoples in AA, which post their events on the bulletin boards of the Friendship House (which is a no smoking facility).
Conference approved literature
The Alcoholics Anonymous website has many brochures online:
- Is AA for You?
- 44 Questions A Newcomer Asks
- A Message to Teenagers
- Do You Think You're Different?
- Is There an Alcoholic In Your Life?
Brochures and books are available in the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Prevention, Room 206 Sarratt.
Contact with other recovering students, contact Elena.hearn@mcmailvanderbilt.edu
Other Programs
Some Humor
Links
Note that Vanderbilt does not endorse any other website, nor guarantee the link to the site is active.
For more information:
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Prevention Programs
Station B 1508
Nashville TN 37235
(615) 343-4740
FAX (615) 343-3702
