National Recovery Month has been celebrated every September for the past 31 years, and Ohio State is once again proudly supporting this national movement to celebrate recovery in our community. It is a time to reflect on the healing power of recovery and celebrates individuals who have reclaimed their lives through the process. Most some Buckeyes, this could be celebrating their own journey to recovery from substance use disorders. For others, it may be celebrating a loved one who has found recovery – as so many of us are touched by the impact that alcohol and drugs in our lives.
Together, the Collegiate Recovery Community and partners from across campus have put together a schedule of events that celebrate those in recovery as well as provide ways for everyone to learn more about what it means to be a Recovery Ally. The schedule can be found at go.osu.edu/recoverymonth
What makes a recovery ally? A recovery ally is a person who strives to eliminate the injustices faced by people in or seeking recovery from a substance use disorder by championing efforts to support recovery, empowering individuals and creating recovery friendly environments where individuals, families and communities can thrive. We have trained over a thousand individuals on campus through our recovery ally training, and we continue to grow that number.
Some of you may not know what the CRC is, and want to know more. The CRC is a place where students are empowered to be their authentic selves and support one another while navigating their college experience free of alcohol and other drugs. During these uncertain times, we have focused on making our supports and programming virtual and feel lucky to say we have continued providing all we would normally provide in person. We have a 24/7 virtual drop-in center exclusively for our community, a weekly mutual aid meeting, are continuing 1:1 coaching meetings with each of our students regularly.
Why do we find it important to celebrate recovery on our campus? Our students in recovery at Ohio State are accomplishing amazing things. They are leaders in our campus communities, including in many pockets of student life. They are working towards degrees in a variety of fields – including law, medicine, social work, and engineering. Many of our students are working on critical research in labs across campus, and others are working on their dissertations. We have had over 50 CRC students graduate from Ohio State, all of which have gone on to be highly successful in their respective fields. What they all have in common is a celebration of their recovery as the foundation of the life they lead today. To us, that is worth celebrating!
If anyone would like to learn more about how we support students, or would like to get involved in the CRC, please reach out to us at recovery@osu.edu. We know that now more than ever, students in or seeking recovery need our support and the community that the CRC provides.