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A spirit that is not afraid

Auburn Recovery Community: Helping students through addiction

<p>The Auburn Recovery Community is a student lead organization for those struggling with addiction.</p>

The Auburn Recovery Community is a student lead organization for those struggling with addiction.

The Auburn Recovery Community is a student lead organization for those struggling with addiction. 

Eric Smith, supervisor, said ARC aims “to support students who are in recovery and help them make many meaningful connections with other students in recovery."

The program started in 2012 when the Texas Tech recovery program was featured on the Today Show. At this time, Smith saw a need on our campus for our own recovery program, which soon led to the creation of ARC.

Michael Schockley, a volunteer for ARC, states that joining the program has given him a great opportunity to connect with others within the program and gain leadership on campus. Schockley's advice the student body: “If you have a friend you are genuinely concerned about, let them know we are here."

There are three different aspects of the program: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous. ARC hosts a sober tailgate and helps with the Big Event. 

There is a Young People in Recovery meeting every Friday night at the Lutheran Church. The meeting hosts influential speakers from Auburn and helps encourage those in recovery to connect with others. Although this meeting is focused on those in recovery, ARC welcomes everyone who is interested in attending.

To join the program email recovery@auburn.edu. After being in recovery for six months you become an official member of the program and gain key card access to a quiet room in Foy Hall where you can hang out and study.

Students in a need of a structured recovery program can work alongside the substance intervention team or SUIT for short. SUIT creates more accountability for those in recovery by drug testing and requiring your participation at a set number of meetings.

Last fall, ARC was able to host a single credit hour class for those that might be unable to make the afternoon meetings. Smith hopes to see ARC continue to grow so that they are able to have a class again in 2019. 


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