Collegiate Recovery From Substance Abuse
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Twenty year-old Aaron Weir attends a Texas Tech University program for students who are recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. He receives a $3,000 scholarship each year for earning near-perfect grades while staying sober. According to the article in The Wall Street Journal, the fastest growing demographic seeking treatment for substance abuse is 18-24.
And a growing number of colleges, including University of Michigan and Penn State are using the model where amenities include sober-student hangouts with study pods, a pool table, the well known 12-step meetings and Saturday night "dry" parties. Recently 20 colleges formed the Association for Recovery in Higher Education.
Aaron belongs to the center's "collegiate recovery community" where membership includes attending a one-credit class each semester in relapse recovery and community service.
Students posted cumulative averages of 3.34, a graduation rate of 80% and an annual relapse rate of only 6%. It's clearly a model for replication.
Reported By Dr. Marciene Mattleman, KYW Newsradio
