Participant Experiences of a Collegiate Recovery Program on a UK University Campus

This study, published in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, explores the experiences of university students participating in Better Than Well, a university-led Collegiate Recovery Program at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Through semi-structured interviews with 10 students aged 20–45, the researchers examined how the programme supported addiction recovery and identified the elements participants found most beneficial.

Two main themes emerged: community and belonging, and personal empowerment through student recovery. Participants described how peer support, accessible individual and group meetings, and substance-free social activities helped reduce isolation, strengthen relationships and create a supportive environment for recovery.

The findings highlight the potential of university-based recovery programmes to strengthen personal, social and community recovery capital, while helping students develop a positive recovery identity and navigate university life.

The study provides insights into the role of peer support in higher education, although further research is needed to examine these programmes across different university settings.