Collegiate Recovery Students and Programs: Literature Review from 1988-2017

Abstract

Objectives: To present a review of the existing research on college students living in recovery, including the research on students in recovery participating in collegiate recovery programs.   Methods: Studies were included if they: a) were peer-reviewed or archived dissertations, b) were published between 1988 and 2017, c) directly involved students in recovery on campus, either with or without involvement in a collegiate recovery program. Results: From 1988 to 2017, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. These included 7 studies on students living in recovery within the general framework of higher education and 18 studies involving students in collegiate recovery programs. Qualitative reports and quantitative descriptive studies were both included.  Conclusions: Findings identify the gaps in currently available research, and support rationale for increasing longitudinal and quantitative studies of collegiate recovery programs and the students they serve.