Vandals for Recovery hosts a free coffee hour every Tuesday for students recovering from addictions.
It starts at 2:30 p.m. in the Idaho Student Union Building (ISUB) in the Panorama Room.
Vandals for Recovery is part of the collegiate recovery program. This group at the University of Idaho reaches campus-wide. It attempted to start in Spring 2020, it was moved online. This semester is the genesis of the program.
UI wanted a group like Vandals for Recovery but did not have the resources until now.
The group is grant-funded and partners with the Counseling and Testing Center (CTC), the Latah Recovery Center and others to create a solid foundation and make the program sustainable.
Those in the collegiate recovery community pledge to make healthy choices that support recovery, respect themself and others, diversity and more.
Students can feel pressured to misuse substances in college and struggle to find recovery groups.
“Vandals for Recovery is trying to…establish a safe space both physical and not physical to support students and help students in recovery to really meet each other—meet new people in safe, non-judgmental settings and be social with them,” Madeline Brown, assistant director for Health Promotion and Alcohol & Other Drug Initiatives, said.
This group uses the recovery definition from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and Administration (SAMHSA), which is “a process of change throughout which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life and strive to reach their full potential,” according to Resources to Recover.
Brown wants people to note this definition does not use the words recovery, addiction and/or substance misuse. The Vandals for Recovery group meets people where they are at.
“Recovery may look different from person to person, from student to student and the things they do to maintain their recovery,” Brown said.
COVID-19 makes it hard for students to want to attend in-person events and connect with others.
“Humans are social people, and as we work through…this pandemic…it’s been really hard for a lot of people not having that social component in their lives,” Brown said.
The events will adhere to the Healthy Vandal Pledge. If students feel uncomfortable using the provided items at an event, they can feel free to bring their own.
When the group becomes large enough, it will hold educational activities, like how to manage time and cook, and attend off-campus and community events.
From 4-7 p.m. Oct. 7 and 8, the Latah Recovery Center will offer campus-based recovery peer volunteer training where students who are in recovery can act as a supportive peer for students just getting started in their recovery or needing extra support in maintaining their recovery.
After graduating from college, this center helps encourage recovery.
“You matter, you can do it,” said Brown. “There are resources to help you and access those resources if you need them.”
Vandals for Recovery is not listed on the VHE Recovery Resources webpage yet.
Students can file a Vandal Care Report if they are struggling with anything from anxiety to addiction, and someone will check-in and help them navigate through their situation.
For more Recovery Resources, go to this link: https://www.uidaho.edu/current-students/vandal-health-education/initiatives/alcohol-drug-program/resources
For any questions about this community and their events, email Madie Brown at [email protected].
Kim Stager can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @journalismgoals.