Recovery schools are state recognized programs designed for students in recovery from addiction. School-based recovery programs create communities of students in recovery and provide them with professionals, peers, and volunteers who help them work to sustain their recovery and succeed at school. Across the country, recovery schools are being founded to help recovering students increase graduation rates, reduce health care costs, improve academic performance, and transform the culture and environment on campuses. The serious, dangerous level of alcohol and drug problems young adults experience include overdoses, unsafe sex and sexual assault, damaged property, school dropout, injury, death, and addiction. A college environment that includes heavy drinking and drug use is a formidable barrier to students seeking treatment or in recovery from addiction.

Students in recovery have ...