Substance use recovery needs among college students seeking recovery services: a thematic qualitative analysis

Abstract

Background: College students who are in recovery from substance use disorders face challenges related to abstaining from substance use, finding supportive social networks, and achieving their academic goals. These students may therefore seek out various recovery supports at their institutions to meet their needs and goals. Methods: This study analyzed previously collected data to explore themes related to students’ experiences of recovery, including their recovery needs and challenges while also attending college. We conducted qualitative thematic analysis of written responses to open-ended prompts posed to 92 college students from one university (47% female; M age = 21.5 years, SD = 5.6) who participated in a larger parent study of Collegiate Recovery Programs in the United States. We used a phenomenological approach to guide the current study, to characterize the meaning and experience within the shared phenomenon of recovery processes among college students. Results: Two broad categories emerged, representing nine total themes that were coded: (a) intrapersonal factors: recovery-specific challenges, self-care and coping, mental and behavioral health, life challenges, and personal motivations and attributes; and (b) interpersonal/social factors: 12-step recovery supports, external supports and community, college environment, and relationships with others. Conclusions: Findings offer insight into barriers and facilitators to recovery among colleges students and are discussed in terms of their implications for primary stakeholders at institutions of higher education to support college students in substance use recovery.