Curious about recovery? Already in recovery and looking for community?
We are excited to welcome you to the Badger Recovery community, which connects and supports students in or considering recovery. This may include, but is not limited to: alcohol use, cannabis use, eating concerns, gaming addiction, and other 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 you on your personal recovery journey.
Through opportunities like social events, peer-led recovery meetings, and recovery coaching from staff 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.
How to Join Our Community
- Come to one of our weekly recovery meetings (in person or online)
- Email recovery@uhs.wisc.edu
- Follow us on Instagram @badgerrecovery
- Schedule a recovery coaching conversation
- Sign up for our newsletter—weekly updates for students and quarterly updates for campus and community allies
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 lives. Recovery is self-defined, looks different for everyone, and may include sobriety or abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction.
Badger Recovery is open to all students who self-identify as a person in recovery. People can be in recovery from substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs or other addictive behaviors, such as eating concerns, gaming or gambling, and self-harm.
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. Scroll down on this page to read more about about recovery meetings, and view this semester’s meeting schedule.
Social and educational events
Build community beyond meetings through social events like bowling, rock climbing, and community dinners.
One-on-one recovery coaching
One-on-one sessions with a trained recovery coach to discuss a recovery plan, personal goals, identify triggers/obstacles to recovery, and connect to recovery resources.
Consultation
We offer consultation with incoming and current students, family and friends of students in recovery, as well as UW-Madison alumni. 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.
Note: 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 informative resources to support recovery.
Upcoming Badger Recovery Events
- July
- July 25
- July 28
- August
- August 4
- August 8
Recovery Meetings
Summer 2025 Meeting Schedule
Meetings are hybrid, and attendees can join in-person or virtually via Zoom.
All-Recovery
This meeting provides support and connection among peers in recovery.
Mondays, 5:30–6:30pm
333 E. Campus Mall, 8th Floor, Room 8808
Rainbow Recovery
This meeting is co-hosted by the GSCC and Badger Recovery and explores LGBTQ+ recovery experiences. All are welcome.
Will resume in fall 2025.
Friends and Family
This meeting offers support and connection for friends, family, and others who support students in recovery.
Will resume in fall 2025.
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.
Recovery meetings are open to any UW-Madison student who self-identifies as being in recovery. If you are considering recovery and want to try out attending a meeting to see if it is for you, you are welcome to attend.
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What happens at a recovery meeting?
In terms of structure, we follow either a topic or speaker meeting format. We primarily provide topic meetings, where our trained student facilitators lead our meetings, which typically includes a check-in, a supportive dialogue around a selected recovery topic, and a check-out. Examples of topics include coping with triggers, maintaining motivation, managing stress, and finding connection. We occasionally offer a speaker meeting instead of a topic meeting, which entails a student sharing their recovery story with a shortened recovery discussion.
Who can attend recovery meetings?
Recovery meetings are open to any UW-Madison student who self-identifies as being in recovery. If you are considering recovery and want to try out attending 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.
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?
Recovery meetings follow the guidance of, “What’s shared here stays here, what’s learned here leaves here.” Attendance at meetings means respecting the private identities and recovery of attendees and not sharing this information outside the group.
“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
“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
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 self-identify as a person in recovery or seeking 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 lives. 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 gaming, gambling/sports betting, and self-harm.
Is Badger Recovery only for folks in substance use recovery?
No. Badger Recovery is open to all students who self-identify as a person in recovery. People can be in recovery from substance use, disordered eating, as well as other addictive behaviors, such as eating concerns, gaming, social media or phone addiction, or gambling/sports betting, and self-harm.
Does Badger Recovery offer mental health recovery?
While mental health recovery is not the focus, Badger Recovery is open to all students who self-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 or abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction. We are inclusive of all paths to recovery and welcome students at any stage of their recovery journey.
Our only requirement is to be respectful and cognizant of the recovery pathways of our other members and that you do not attend our recovery meeting while under the influence of a substance.
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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 support meetings in which students in recovery 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 connect with 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.
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.