At a university with a strong drinking culture, some University of Wisconsin-Madison students are creating an alternative community with Badger Recovery programming.
UW-Madison’s Badger Recovery program provides resources for students navigating recovery from addictive behavior in all forms, such as free coaching, peer meetings and sober social events for students in recovery from substance use, eating disorders, gambling and other behaviors.
University Health Services (UHS) launched Badger Recovery in 2020 after discontinuing Live Free, another peer-to-peer recovery organization.
“We are deeply grateful that UW-Madison recognizes the need for a collegiate recovery program so students can find the support and community they need to be successful in their recovery,” said Ash Engel, the program’s collegiate recovery specialist.
UW-Madison is notorious for its work-hard, play-hard culture. But Badger Recovery understands how this culture can isolate students, offering support through one-on-one meetings, weekly recovery groups and frequent social events.
Student responses to the program have been overwhelmingly positive so far, according to leadership.
“Some students have shared with us that they feel like they belong at UW for the first time because of Badger Recovery; others have shared that the program has been life-saving in many ways,” Engel said.
The program does not have a single definition for recovery — rather focusing on helping students make sustainable changes to improve their own lives. It functions as a resource for both recovery-curious students and those in long-term recovery.
“We offer a nonjudgmental space where students can have fun, make friends with people who ‘get it’, and progress in their recovery,” Engel said.
Since its inception, Badger Recovery has hosted bonfires, community dinners, pizza and game nights and other unique events such as going to a rage room, trampoline park or private basketball suite. Each event is designed to provide students with fun, low-pressure opportunities to build friendships and enjoy life in recovery.
“We believe that recovery should be fun and full of connection, and every student at UW, including those in or seeking recovery, should feel like they belong,” Engel said.
Engel said misconceptions about the program and recovery in whole persist on campus — for example, that recovery is boring or generally not fun. Badger Recovery is actively working to change that narrative.
Another misunderstanding is that the program only supports students recovering from substance abuse, and that those involved must be fully sober or abstinent. In reality, Badger Recovery welcomes anyone who identifies with recovery in any form and stage. The program is also open to students with eating, sports betting, gaming and even co-dependency addictions.
“We really want students to know that they're not alone, many students struggle with these issues and that life in recovery is possible at UW,” Engel said.
Students can come to any meeting or event at no cost and no sign-up, referral or diagnosis is necessary. Group social events include substance-free tailgates hosted in collaboration with campus and community partners such as Wisconsin Union Directorate and Pres House.
The program offers All-Recovery meetings for any and all recovery pathways. Topics discussed at these meetings are not specific to one substance or behavior. They instead focus on broader emotions, cravings and urges, providing ways to subdue them in a healthy manner.
“College campuses can pose as recovery-hostile environments,” Engel said.
Students can attend All Recovery meetings on Mondays and Wednesdays, Rainbow Recovery on Mondays, Co-Dependency and Self-Love on Fridays and Friends and Family meetings on Fridays. All meetings are hybrid with the option to join virtually via Zoom.
