University System of New Hampshire (USNH) Collegiate Recovery was established in 2024 when the UNH Institute on Disability (IOD) received funding to expand recovery supports to young adults in NH between the ages of 18–25. This came in the wake of IOD's successful launch of Wildcats for Recovery on the UNH Durham campus in August of 2023.
USNH Collegiate Recovery staff are working to train college students to provide harm reduction education and supports to their peers and families in collaboration with local recovery communities in the Manchester, Concord, and Plymouth areas.
USNH Collegiate Recovery Programming
- Peer recovery support/ mutual aid groups
- 1:1 peer support
- Assistance connecting to campus or community supports, e.g., tutoring, counseling, social groups, food/ housing resources
- Substance-free social events
- Educational programming
- Family/ caregiver supports
Harm reduction is a human first approach, built on the understanding that abstinence may not be the goal for everyone. Harm reduction prioritizes meeting people where they are and minimizing the harmful effects of substance use.
Program Outcomes
- Cultivate a welcoming and inclusive recovery culture on college campuses.
- Train and empower students to facilitate recovery-focused programming.
- Develop and implement programs that benefit students in recovery, those interested in recovery, and recovery allies.
- Offer programming aligned with the eight dimensions of wellness for holistic well-being.
- Provide educational resources and experiences to enhance participant well-being.
- Establish collaborative relationships with existing campus programs and clubs.
- Encourage physical fitness and healthy lifestyles through fitness and nutrition education.
- Equip participants to support peers and family members dealing with challenges related to substance misuse, while taking care of themselves.
- Promote a culture of healthy living and engage the campus community in wellness activities and acceptance.
What's Happening on Your Campus
UNH Manchester
UNH Manchester rolled out programming in the fall of 2024, providing harm reduction education, access to Narcan and Fentanyl test strips, and substance free social events.
Weekly Peer Recovery meetings facilitated by and for students in collaboration with Revive Recovery Center and Hope for NH Recovery began in the spring of 2025 at UNH Manchester. They meet on Thursdays at 5–6 pm in Room 501. Additional activities include recovery ally training, harm reduction and mindful choices education, substance free social events, drop-in wellness clinics, and more.
Students are also invited to check out what they have to offer at Hope for NH Recovery at 293 Wilson St, Manchester NH, Monday through Saturday, 12–9pm, or Revive Recovery Center, located at 99 Blaine Street in Manchester, Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm.
Plymouth State University
Archways Recovery Center is collaborating with Plymouth State University and the Concord community to create a supportive and inclusive environment for college and university students in recovery, those interested in learning about recovery, and allies in the recovery journey. The goal is to foster lasting peer support, promote social connections, and enhance overall well-being within the university setting and the larger community. With a focus on the eight dimensions of wellness, foundational recovery supports, and tailored programs to meet the specific needs of participants.
Plymouth Collegiate Recovery Support meetings occur weekly on Mondays from 5:15–6pm at Archways Community Resource Center located at 57D Main Street, Plymouth, NH, followed by ear acupuncture for anyone willing to give it a try!
