The Donovan Program for Recovery and Substance-Free Student Initiatives endeavors to support students who are in recovery or who are substance-free for any reason through anti-stigma advocacy, inclusive programming and holistic support structures. We value the holistic well-being of every individual to which we engage and strive to upend historical discrimination and structures in the recovery and substance-free communities by celebrating the diverse pathways in which one examines their relationship to substances. We host two recovery support meetings each week as well as host social events and partner with other campus and community stakeholders to build recovery capital for anyone struggling with a substance use disorder or who is affected by substance use on campus. 

Early Recovery Group (EROB) is a weekly, one-hour meeting for Brown students (undergraduate, graduate, or medical) who have made a commitment to try to abstain from one or more substances that are disruptive to their desired experience at Brown Facilitated by Jason Roderick, LISCW, meetings are Thursdays at noon in the Maddock Alumni Center, class of ‘33 room.

The Skills for Harm Reduction Group is a weekly, drop-in learning space that offers tools to increase well-being. Each week, the group explores a new skill that can help reduce harms associated with substance use, while increasing positive routines in life. Skills learned draw from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), body-based mindfulness, and other practices. Facilitated by Taryn Wyron ‘09, LCSW, meetings are Tuesdays at noon in Roberts Campus Center, room 225.

To have a private chat, please contact Lindsay Garcia, the Dean for Recovery and Substance-Free Student Initiatives at lindsay_garcia@brown.edu.

A special thank you to BWell, RICARES, Lindsay Garcia and Sandy Valentine for sharing these resources with our cast, crew and audiences.