Badger Recovery

Mission:

To provide a welcoming and inclusive collegiate recovery community that offers resources, connection opportunities, and support for students.

Vision:

To have a campus environment where students in recovery can thrive.

About Badger Recovery:

Badger Recovery provides support and community for students in active recovery from substance use and/or other process addictions. Badger Recovery was implemented to help connect students to a sustainable recovery community and to help them access resources necessary for them to succeed academically and personally while sustaining their chosen path of recovery.  

We offer consultation with incoming and current students, family and friends of students in recovery, as well as UW-Madison alumni. Students working with Badger Recovery have access to dedicated university staff who will continue to support and advocate for them along their recovery journey. Badger Recovery staff is 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 

What to Expect from a Badger Recovery Meeting:

Badger Recovery meetings are non-clinical, peer support groups where trained facilitators guide and lead a recovery-based conversation. The primary purpose is to support our recovery community and empower each other to stay committed to one’s path of recovery. What one can expect from these meetings include: 

• Support. Recovery is a process of change that evolves through various stages. Having the support of peers, family, and friends is essential for folks in recovery. At Badger Recovery we create a community and fellowship of students that encourage one another to stay on their designated recovery journey.  
• Participation. Topics/Open space to share. In these meetings, students share their experiences with one another and support one another’s recovery journey. We use this space to discuss universal recovery related topics and participation is voluntary. We respect everyone’s comfort levels and boundaries and efforts are made to create a space where everyone is invited to share and/or listen to best match their comfort level.  
• Safety. Badger Recovery promotes a welcoming environment by fostering open discussion and not debates or other forms of hostility. We understand that in these settings there are various emotional responses that can come up and we have trained individuals to help navigate these conversations and get students connected to resources if necessary. All participants voluntarily agree to respect the confidentiality of others, commit to creating a safe space, and other community guidelines.  

We understand recovery can be individually defined, and we value the diverse experiences of our members and their personal goals, and honor different pathways of recovery. Pathways of recovery may include but are not limited to: attending meetings, seeking out therapy, changing substance use behaviors, developing a healthy support system, medical treatment, holistic treatment, etc. Because not everyone may use the word ‘recovery’ to describe their current mental health status, Badger Recovery meetings are open to all students, including recovery allies and those taking a risk-reduction approach to their substance use. All of our meetings and events are substance free spaces. 

Diversity and Inclusion:

At Badger Recovery, we embrace individuals from all backgrounds and identities while seeking to create an inclusive environment. We understand the importance of diverse experiences and identities in order to have an in-depth discussion about complex issues such as recovery. Diversity in its many forms is valued in our program in order to promote growth.  

We recognize that even though we strive for inclusivity we may fall short. Therefore, we are committed to having difficult conversations, promoting restorative justice practices, and rebuilding trust in our community. Only through embracing our different identities will we have the greatest impact on our members.  

Make a gift to the Collegiate Recovery Fund:

DONATE NOW