Sacred Heart University offers several options and resources for students who choose to stay sober throughout college or are actively seeking recovery from alcohol addiction.
As more campuses across the country establish collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) to help students maintain an abstinence-based lifestyle while pursuing higher education, SHU is following suit. Sacred Heart’s CRP consists of campus meetings, counselors, coaches, and the Recovery House, a safe and substance-free environment featuring community-building activities, according to a university press release.
“We create structure and safe places for students who choose a recovery lifestyle,” said Brian Dolan, SHU Recovery Program Coordinator and alumnus.
Dolan dealt with a drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction during his time as a student before becoming sober seven years ago. Since assuming a position at Sacred Heart in Oct. 2022, he has made it his mission to educate staff and students on the warning signs of addiction while also maintaining a judgment-free culture across campus.
Besides promoting acceptance within the recovery program, Dolan advocates for participants to explore activities that do not entail drinking.
“We encourage our students to be very involved on campus in clubs. Just because we’re sober shouldn’t mean that we run away and hide from anything,” he said.
According to Dolan, “Move to Heal,” a nonprofit organization with which the university recently partnered, is a critical campus resource for those seeking sobriety. Meetings, which occur on Wednesday afternoons in Bergoglio Hall, prioritize participants’ exercise and mental health by consisting of a workout followed by a talk session where they are invited to share what is going on in their lives in a comfortable setting.
“We’re always looking for more ways to help out and establish a space on campus for students who feel they need it,” said Max Satriano, SHU’s Recovery House Manager.
Satriano, who has been working in the field for over seven years, described the role that this program plays in promoting positive outcomes.
“If you feel like you’ve been developing a problem with substances, we have a place where we’re able to have these conversations,” he said.
Source: Tracy Deer-Mirek, Sacred Heart University.
An additional resource the university offers to address student addiction is the option to apply for residency at its Recovery House, situated next to Roncalli Hall. Since opening last January, this location has served the dual purpose of helping students remain sober while encouraging them to receive a higher education.
The house features four bedrooms as well as a fully operational kitchen, washer and dryer, and backyard, among other amenities. Residents receive services and support from an in-house manager, recovery coach, and clinical therapist and also engage in weekend activities designed to foster fellowship, according to a university press release.
While all interested applicants are required to attend at least three recovery-based meetings, agree to university and program policies, and comply with drug and breathalyzer tests at any time per the housing manager’s discretion, Satriano said that each individual may have a unique housing process. Although the house is currently only open to men, he looks forward to welcoming female students during the fall semester of 2024.
Regardless of whether students plan to pursue residency, the Recovery House hosts all program meetings on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
“After hearing about the house, it seems like a really great resource,” said junior Kate Fleissner.
Those seeking more information regarding SHU’s recovery program may visit www.sacredheart.edu/recovery.
“The opposite of addiction isn’t abstinence, it’s community,” said Dolan.
