Past Tulane Recovery Community Events

"Having the Tulane Recovery Community on campus means everything to me. It is awesome having a place to go every Tuesday evening where I can be myself and surround myself with people who know the real me, and it has helped me stay grounded and excel in my Ph.D. program. TRC has been a great reminder that I am only in this Ph.D. program at Tulane because I am stable in sobriety, and it has helped remind me that sobriety comes before all else. If you are new to sobriety or sober-curious, come check us out. TRC is a remarkably non-judgmental space for all."

"When I completed treatment, I was terrified that I would not make sober friends at Tulane. However, I learned about TRC and started attending its meetings, and I fell in love. I made genuine friends and developed a strong support network. By listening to my peers share their experiences of maintaining sobriety in college, I acquired valuable insights into navigating the early stages of sobriety as a young student. The TRC has offered me a community that does not revolve around drinking or using other substances. It has helped shape my recovery today. Meeting fellow sober Tulane students has been an incredible experience, and through these interactions, I learned that I can stay sober as well."

"Many Tulane students fall behind due to the party culture, demanding academics, or mental health challenges. Asking for help can be an incredibly daunting task. However, the Tulane Recovery Community is a beacon of hope, shining at the end of the tunnel. It provides a safe and open space for discussing our struggles. The TRC grants a profound sense of belonging, purpose, and direction - vital components of the recovery process. Through my involvement with the TRC, I have forged friendships with individuals who hold me accountable and have taught me how to lead a fulfilling sober life. I am now filled with gratitude as I can be of service and offer support to other Tulane students in their recovery journey. If you are struggling, please reach out to us. You do not have to go through this alone."

"It is difficult to overstate how important having a resource like the TRC was for my recovery as a student. When I was a sophomore at Tulane in 2018 and had drinking problems, I thought I was alone on campus. I took time off from school to get treatment. Coming to campus in 2020, I found what I had been missing in the TRC. Access to the TRC became a mainstay of my recovery through the rest of my time as an undergrad. Attending the weekly TRC meetings and periodic events gave me access to a community of supportive peers who helped guide me through the travails of staying sober in college. From my perspective, alcohol-centered partying seemed like all there was to student life. The TRC brought a sober alternative to campus, which I think provides an essential resource for students in recovery who might otherwise see a false choice between sobriety and having a social life. By attending TRC events and trips, I felt like I was not giving up the chance to have fun in college. If you're getting sober or are coming to college already in recovery, you're not alone. There is a community of people who share your goals and have the same problems you are facing."

"New Orleans is a fun and vibrant city, but the constant partying, parades, and activities surrounding drinking culture were intimidating to navigate while I was in early sobriety. For my first Mardi Gras sober, I joined the Tulane Recovery Community on a trip to Santa Fe. That trip really solidified the belief that life could still be fun and fulfilling without drinking. During a weekend that I thought would be the hardest of the year, I instead enjoyed a trip with friends who were committed to the same lifestyle as me, and thoughts of missing out or regret never crossed my mind while I was there."

"The idea of getting sober during college terrified me and left me feeling incredibly alone and isolated. Before discovering the Tulane Recovery Community, I believed I was the only student going through this struggle. Finding out that there were others who shared my experience made me feel supported and motivated to continue my recovery journey. Having a community of people who could relate to me and understand what I was facing made all the difference."

"Having TRC on campus is like having a sober oasis within a party-crazed sea. TRC makes recovery accessible and engaging on a campus that is overwhelmingly fixated on party culture. The Tulane Recovery Community has become my home away from home. It is here where I found the compassion, empathy, and support that brought me out of a dark place in life. And it is here where I met my chosen family that continues to keep me on the right track."

"The TRC has provided me with a safe space, with people of my age, so that I can be my honest self. It’s allowed me to connect with likeminded friends, who have helped me in my sobriety. I can now surround myself with people who are on the same journey as me and go through recovery together. It won’t hurt you. If anything, the outcome can only be beneficial, so it is worthwhile just to try it, even if it’s hard at first. I was shy and anxious when I walked in, and now I am empowered and confident within myself. So worth it. If you need a change in your recovery, or just want to explore recovery in general, this community will bring you far and introduce you to a new way of thinking."

"I faced a lot of struggles with recovery in my first six months of sobriety. Speaking about my challenges openly and honestly relieved me of many thoughts of giving up. Many people shared the exact feelings I was having, and friends gave me advice and told me their stories of what they did to maintain sobriety even during the toughest times of their life. It reinforced my commitment to recovery and pushed me to continue uphill. The benefits of TRC extend far beyond sobriety itself. The newfound confidence and self-awareness I gained have influenced all aspects of my life positively. I have discovered a renewed passion for academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and personal growth. TRC has given me the courage to embrace life fully, allowing me to make the most of my college experience and lay the foundation for a fulfilling future. "

"Having recovery resources readily available on campus and at Tulane means everything to me, and TRC has been an invaluable resource for me throughout my sobriety. The fact that I can find support, understanding, and guidance right on campus not only facilitates my recovery but also highlights the importance of destigmatizing addiction and mental health challenges within the academic community."

"To anyone contemplating joining the recovery community, based on my overwhelmingly positive experiences, I urge you to take that leap of faith. Embrace the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who will welcome you without judgment, who will uplift you in your darkest hours, and who will celebrate your triumphs with genuine joy. Remember that you are never alone in this journey, and within TRC, you will find the encouragement, strength, and compassion that will undoubtedly make a transformative difference in your life."