Celebrating Collegiate Recovery Day in South Carolina
Contact:
Jimmy Mount
jmount@daodas.sc.gov
Columbia, SC – April 14, 2025 – In recognition of Collegiate Recovery Day on April 15, the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) is celebrating the strength and resilience of students in recovery and the growing network of campus-based recovery programs across the state.
With the pressures of academic life, social expectations and increased exposure to substances, college students face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining sobriety. Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) offer these students a vital lifeline – a place where recovery is not only supported but celebrated.
A Safe Space for Sober Success
CRPs provide structured support for students in recovery from substance use disorders. From peer mentoring and sober housing to counseling and community events, these programs help students thrive in college while staying committed to their recovery journeys.
“College is a transformative time, and every student deserves the opportunity to grow and succeed without risking their recovery,” says DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby. “CRPs show students that they’re not alone and that sobriety can be a foundation for success – not a barrier.”
The Reality of Campus Substance Use on Campus
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), of full-time college students ages 18 to 25, 49.6% drank alcohol and 29.3% engaged in binge drinking in the past month. These patterns increase the risk of addiction, mental health issues and academic struggles – especially for students already navigating recovery.
That is why DAODAS proudly supports the Out of Their Hands campaign, which addresses underage drinking and empowers communities to take preventive action. The campaign highlights the dangers of early alcohol use and promotes policies and practices that reduce access to alcohol for youth and young adults.
Highlighting South Carolina’s Progress
South Carolina’s collegiate recovery movement continues to grow around the state, thanks to programs in Columbia like Gamecock Recovery at the University of South Carolina and the newly launched B.C. R.O.A.R. at Benedict College.
Benedict College was awarded a $195,000 grant from DAODAS in 2024 to launch B.C. R.O.A.R. (Resist, Overcome, Achieve, Rise) – a comprehensive collegiate recovery program grounded in advocacy, outreach, and peer support. Spearheaded by Dr. Kennard DuBose and Dr. Eunika Simons in the Department of Social Work, B.C. R.O.A.R. provides services such as peer mentorship, mental health counseling, first-aid training, and universal screenings to identify and support at-risk students.
This effort is especially timely, as first-generation college students – who represent a significant portion of Benedict’s student body – face unique pressures that can increase vulnerability to substance misuse. B.C. R.O.A.R. is designed to be a transformative support system for these students as they work toward their degrees and personal goals.
Meanwhile, Gamecock Recovery fosters a recovery-friendly campus through peer-based mutual aid meetings, individualized coaching, sober social events and community-level advocacy. Students in recovery – or those exploring it – have access to specialized coaching, allyship workshops, and the Addiction and Recovery-Informed Seminar (ARISE) series, all designed to create a compassionate and informed campus community.
“Recovery doesn’t mean missing out on college life – it means showing up for it fully,” says DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby. “CRPs like Gamecock Recovery and B.C. R.O.A.R. are transforming lives and showing students that they are not alone.”
Students and families looking for recovery or prevention resources can visit embracerecoverysc.com or www.daodas.sc.gov.
About DAODAS:
The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) is the South Carolina government agency charged with ensuring quality services to prevent or reduce the negative consequences of substance use and addictions through a statewide system of local organizations that provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services. For more information, visit www.daodas.sc.gov.