Her Campus Auburn is always looking to promote prospering organizations that are excelling in its efforts to make our campus a better place. We met Peter Slutzker and the ARC team during an Organization Day table event. Not only did we get wonderful coffee cups, but we were introduced to another amazing service organization that is doing amazing things! Meet the Auburn Recovery Community.
Q: What is Auburn Recovery Community and how does it serve students on campus?
A: Auburn Recovery Community is a group of students and staff dedicated to creating a healthy, supportive on-campus environment for those recovering from substance abuse disorders. We currently serve students by hosting two twelve-step meetings on campus every week. Also, we hold a monthly Recovery Night (on the second Friday of every month), which is an opportunity for students to come out and hear one of our members tell their story and share some experience, strength and hope.
Q: How is your team involved with the bigger Recovery Campus programs across the nation?
A: Collegiate Recovery Programs, as highlighted in the Recovery Campus magazines, have recently stepped into the spotlight for proving to be very beneficial aspects of college campuses. The Recovery Campus is a bigger model that we can look to, and it allows us to communicate with other schools for program development. Also, there is a sense of nationwide networking that can ease the transition process, for a student in recovery, from one college or university to another.
Q: What’s the best part of working with this organization?
A: As President, I would have to say the best part of working with this student organization is just getting to know my fellow members and classmates and to try and be of better service to them. As we grow as an organization, the sense of camaraderie that develops within our program has really become something to cherish and helps to lay a solid foundation for prospective student members.
Q: Asking for help is hard. In 2014, the Drug and Alcohol Use in College Age Adults showed a tremendous increase in substance abuse. How does ARC approach community members in non-threatening way?
A: As you mentioned, asking for help is hard. The tough thing about addiction and alcoholism is that most treatments can prove to be ineffective until the person who is suffering is ready to make a change. That being said, Auburn Recovery Community devotes most of its efforts in making sure that we can be of maximum help to people once they are ready to approach us for help. We have found success in the past by alerting treatment centers, and other services, such as Student Counseling Services, of our existence so that students returning to Auburn or transferring here are aware of our program.
Q: How does the ARC partner with other schools’ recovery programs?
A: A big barrier for students in recovery to overcome, upon returning to a college campus, is in dealing with the alcohol-centric social aspect of college life. Events like football games, concerts and parties can become threatening to a student’s recovery. In the past, Auburn Recovery Community has contacted the school of the opposing team and collaborated efforts to co-host a joint tailgate. Previously, A.R.C. has sent officers to the Association of Recovery in Higher Education conference to learn how to better utilize campus resources and to network with other schools.
Q: How can students get involved?
A: The best way for students to get involved is by helping us to erase the stigma associated with substance abuse disorders on our campus. Tell your friends that are struggling that it is okay to ask for help and that there are people here to support them. Come to one of our meetings and educate yourself and just see what we are about. We host A.A. on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and N.A. on Wednesday’s at 8 p.m., both in Foy Hall Room 105. The monthly Recovery Night is also hosted on the second Friday of every month at 6 p.m. in Foy Hall Room 105.
If you have any questions about ARC you can visit their webpage, Facebook, or follow them on Instagram @au_crc .