Transformational Education and Recovery

A person’s recovery from substance use and abuse is not lifelong and all-powerful; rather, it is something that individuals with proper support networks can manage. Having a supportive community network can help many people find additional strength, hope, and motivation to pursue a path of health and growth that will put their behavioral health challenges into a more manageable life process, resulting in less stress and anxiety (Peele, 1992; Peele & Brodsky,  1992). The college experience can serve as a healing source in students’ recovery processes by expanding their existing network of support and providing positive outlets that reinforce self-expression and awareness through coursework, peer and faculty relationships, and occupational exploration (DiRosa & Scoles, 2019). College recovery student life services should be viewed as a resource for information, friendship, and socialization for students. This supportive educational environment must be a place where self-determination and recovery transformation are nurtured and acknowledged, and through this transformative process, education can become integrated into values and principles of recovery and resilience.