The oldest known collegiate recovery program was developed at Brown University. It is now spreading nationwide to help students dealing with substance abuse.
“College recovery programs have helped for students to come into treatment programs,” Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. Srinivasa Gokarakonda, M.D. said.
Getting students into the program is just the first step.
How do you keep students on the right path when their program halts because school is out for the summer?
“Most programs, when they establish treatment for the substance abuse disorders, they ensure the patients get continued treatment, even if they are out of town for a month or two, especially during summers,” Gokarakonda said.
This means students are expected to get in touch with recovery support in their hometowns.
For students requiring medication as a part of their recovery, guest dosing is used.
“We usually dose these patients in the clinic. They come in once a day, they get their dose, and on weekends we give them take homes. So someone who has opioid addiction, and has to get their treatment, they come in every day, likewise if somebody comes in from out of state on a program, we do guest dosing, ” Gokarakonda said. “They send the paperwork to us in advance, and then we process that. Then we know what dose they’re on and can continue their same treatments while they’re here.”
Recovery doesn’t just mean prescribing medication, it also includes therapy.
“Colleges have their programs that offer therapy. Rutgers has a recovery house and students can stay in the recovery houses,” Gokarakonda said. “It’s like housing and they can stay there for a year while they are going through recovery.”
As your children begin to head home for the summer, you’re encouraged to lookout for the warning signs indicating substance abuse could be present.
“The first signs that parents can see is kids not interacting with them; behavior is odd; having new friends; and being more secretive about what they are doing,” Gokarakonda said.
When it comes to the cost of treatment programs, most insurance companies cover the bill, including Medicaid.
If you have specific questions about billing, speak with your insurance provider.
