Badger recovery offers support and connection for students in recovery from substance use, disordered eating, or addictive behaviors. We embrace all definitions of recovery, whether that is abstinence or harm reduction, and offer a welcoming and judgment-free space to support students on their personal recovery journey.
Through social events, peer-led recovery meetings, and coaching from staff with lived experience in recovery, our collegiate recovery program helps students not only maintain their recovery and achieve their academic goals but also thrive and find belonging on campus.
Donate to Badger Recovery
How to Join Our Community
Attend a
recovery meeting
Schedule a conversation
with a recovery coach
Email us
recovery@uhs.wisc.edu
Weekly newsletter
for students
Follow us on Instagram
@badgerrecovery
Quarterly newsletter
for campus/community allies
“Badger Recovery has allowed me to form relationships and better myself through my recovery journey. It has been a huge part of my life these past couple months and I look forward to every meeting I go to and always have been greeted with a sense of community and kindness.”
– Badger Recovery Member
“Badger Recovery connected me to a real community for the first time in quite a while. That connection gave me the hope I needed to take the actions in my life which I needed to take in order to achieve real recovery. Essentially, Badger Recovery gave me what I needed to live again.”
– Badger Recovery Member
What is recovery?
Recovery is more than reducing or stopping a substance or behavior. It is a transformative process where someone makes sustained changes to improve their life. Recovery is self-defined, looks different for everyone, and may include sobriety/abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction.
Badger Recovery is open to all students who identify as either in recovery from substance use (such as alcohol, cannabis, or prescription misuse), disordered eating, or addictive behaviors (such as self-harm, gaming, sex, or sports betting). We also welcome those who have a close person in their life struggling with these issues to our Friends and Family meeting
We stress to our members that recovery is a gradual, non-linear process. There will be adversity, triumphs, setbacks, stagnancy, and consistency. At Badger Recovery we are here for all of it, and we want you to be a part of our community during whichever state of recovery you find yourself.
What We Offer
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Hybrid peer-to-peer recovery meetings
Recovery meetings provide an opportunity to share the successes and challenges of recovery while connecting with others in recovery. Read more about recovery meetings and view a schedule for this semester.
Social and educational events
Build community beyond meetings through social events like weekly game nights, trips off-campus, and community dinners to connect with students who “get it.” Recent events have included bowling, pickleball, bonfires, visits to a trampoline park and a rage room, and more.
One-on-one recovery coaching
One-on-one sessions with a trained recovery coach to discuss a recovery plan, develop personal goals, identify triggers/obstacles to recovery, and connect to recovery resources.
Consultation
We offer consultation with incoming and current students, and family and friends of students in recovery. Individuals working with Badger Recovery have access to dedicated university staff who will support and advocate for them on their recovery journey. To connect with a staff member, email recovery@uhs.wisc.edu.
Badger Recovery does not provide treatment. We are an additional support to a student’s personal recovery. If you are interested in treatment or mental health services, we can provide additional resources to support recovery.
Upcoming Badger Recovery Events
- October
- October 10
- October 10
- October 11Sober AF Entertainment Presents: Sober Tailgate - Wisconsin vs. IowaFeaturing Badger Football Hall of Fame inductee Montee Ball! Badger Recovery will be there too!3:00 PM, Parking lot between 17 N Charter St and 18 Coyne Ct
- October 13
Recovery Meetings
Fall 2025 Meeting Schedule
Meetings are hybrid, and attendees can join in-person or virtually via Zoom.
All-Recovery
Offers support and connection among peers in recovery
Mondays, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
333 E. Campus Mall, 8th Floor, Room 8808
Rainbow Recovery
In partnership with the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center
Mondays, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center
Friends and Family
Welcomes students who have friends or family in recovery or struggling with addiction or eating disorders
Wednesdays, 4:00–4:45 p.m.
333 E. Campus Mall, 8th Floor, Room 8808
Co-Dependency and Self-Love
Explore navigating relationships and how to better show up for ourselves and others
Fridays, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
333 E. Campus Mall, 8th Floor, Room 8808
What to Expect at a Recovery Meeting
Badger Recovery meetings are welcoming, peer-led, and non-clinical. The primary purpose is to support our recovery community and empower each other to stay committed to one’s path of recovery. While our meetings are therapeutic for many participants, they are not intended to be group therapy. The goal of our dialogue is to remain recovery-focused while providing solutions and support through sharing our experience, strength, and hope.
Many members of our program consider our weekly meetings to be a cornerstone in their recovery, providing them with solidarity, friendship, and fun. Recovery meetings are open to any UW–Madison student in recovery, seeking recovery, or curious about recovery. If you would like to try out a meeting to see if it is for you, you are welcome to attend.
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What happens at a recovery meeting?
Meetings are led by trained student facilitators and often center on a specific topic, such as developing healthy habits, building support networks, and setting boundaries. Discussions usually include a check-in, peer-led conversation, and a check-out. Sometimes, instead of a topic meeting, we offer a speaker meeting where a student shares their recovery story.
Who can attend recovery meetings?
Recovery meetings are open to any UW–Madison student in recovery, seeking recovery, or curious about recovery. If you would like to try out a meeting to see if it is for you, you are welcome to attend. We do not, however, allow students to attend a meeting to satisfy a class requirement.
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Can I attend a recovery meeting for a class assignment or to satisfy a court order?
No. We encourage you to reach out to Badger Recovery (recovery@uhs.wisc.edu) to discuss finding a community meeting that may meet your needs.
Are recovery meetings anonymous?
Protecting the anonymity of our members is a top priority. Attending a meeting means respecting the private identities and recovery of other attendees and not sharing this information outside the group. We follow the guidance of, “What’s shared here stays here.”
“I ended up just fully participating in the meeting I went to, and in that meeting alone, I learned so much about myself that I never have before just because I was able to talk to people who have experienced the same thing as me.”
– Badger Recovery Member
“The first meeting I attended almost had me in tears because it was scary how much I was able to relate to others in the group. I knew I needed to keep coming back. My life started to flourish in ways that I didn’t think were possible.”
– Badger Recovery Member
Our Team
Clara Sainz Prats
Student Assistant
Ellise Markevitch
Student Assistant
Will Buck
Student Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I know if I’m considered to be in recovery?
Badger Recovery is open to all students who identify as a person in recovery or seeking recovery. We believe that recovery is self-defined, looks different for everyone, and may include sobriety or abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction. People can be in recovery from substance use, including alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, nicotine, or other drugs; eating disorders or disordered eating; or other addictive behaviors, such as self-harm, gaming, sex, or sports betting.
Is Badger Recovery only for folks in substance use recovery?
No. Badger Recovery is open to all students who identify as a person in recovery from substance use, disordered eating, and/or addictive behaviors, such as self-harm, sex, gaming, and sports betting.
Does Badger Recovery offer mental health recovery?
While mental health recovery is not the focus, Badger Recovery is open to all students who identify as being in recovery. For those looking for peer support options specific to mental health UHS offers group counseling.
Is there a sobriety/abstinence requirement to participate in Badger Recovery?
No. At Badger Recovery, we believe that recovery is self-defined, looks different for everyone, and may include sobriety/abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction. We are inclusive of all paths to recovery and welcome students at any stage of their recovery journey.
We do require all members to be respectful and cognizant of the recovery pathways of our other members and that students do not attend our recovery meeting while under the influence of a substance.
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What is recovery coaching?
Through free, one-on-one sessions, a trained recovery coach will support you in discussing a recovery plan, developing personal goals, identifying triggers/obstacles to recovery, and connecting to recovery resources. A recovery coach is not a sponsor, therapist, or licensed clinician—they are a person with lived experience with recovery who can help you on your personal recovery journey. Recovery coaching meetings are flexible and individualized. You can meet with a recovery coach once or on a regular schedule based on your needs and goals, and there isn’t a limit to the number of coaching sessions you can receive.
Is Badger Recovery the same as AA/NA?
While AA and NA may be part of an individual’s recovery journey, Badger Recovery is not a 12-step program. Badger Recovery is a community that provides support to students on a wide variety of recovery pathways. We offer peer-led meetings in which students share the successes and challenges of recovery and connect with others in recovery. If students are looking to attend other types of recovery meetings in the community, such as local 12-step programs, our recovery coaches can help them connect to those support options.
Does UW–Madison have sober living or recovery housing?
While UW–Madison does not have dedicated sober housing, there are several community resources or organizations that provide sober and recovery housing. Email recovery@uhs.wisc.edu to reach a recovery coach who can connect you with local options, such as Pres House’s Next Step Sober Living.
How do I connect to a substance use counselor?
UHS offers confidential and non-judgmental counseling for substance use concerns. To be connected to a counselor, schedule an Access Appointment. During your Access Appointment, an Access Specialist can connect you to a provider specializing in substance use concerns.
Additional Recovery Resources
Supporting Someone in Recovery
For Students
Badger Recovery offers Friends and Family meetings for students supporting a friend, partner, or family member’s recovery.
For Family Members, Friends, and Loved Ones
Badger Recovery staff are happy to assist you in learning more about collegiate recovery options and discuss our program. To speak with a staff member, email us at recovery@uhs.wisc.edu.