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Canadian University Students' Experiences of Addiction Recovery: A Pilot Study

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Title: Canadian University Students' Experiences of Addiction Recovery: A Pilot Study
Language: English
Authors: Victoria F. Burns, Ashley Ethier, Noor Hadad, Emily Hennessy, Andrew Szeto
Source: Canadian Journal of Higher Education. 2025 55(4):109-130.
Availability: Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: http://journals.sfu.ca/cjhe/index.php/cjhe/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Students, Addictive Behavior, Rehabilitation, Barriers, Student Diversity, Substance Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Marijuana, Self Destructive Behavior, Smoking, Eating Disorders, Intervention, Counseling, Social Media, Peer Influence, Coping
ISSN: 0316-1218
Abstract: Addiction is a critical concern on Canadian post-secondary campuses, yet recovery remains largely overlooked. Guided by a recovery capital framework, this pilot survey explored the recovery characteristics, supports, and barriers among 101 Canadian university students (average age 24.5). Participants reflected diversity across gender (men 49.5%, women 39.6%, minoritized 10.9%), sexual orientation (LGBTQIA2S+ 46.5%), and race/ethnicity (racially minoritized 45.5%). Recovery pathways were primarily abstinence-based (59.4%), followed by non-abstinence approaches (25.7%) and those unsure (9.9%). Students reported recovering from alcohol (44.6%), cannabis (26.7%), self-harm (24.8%), nicotine (23.8%), and eating issues (21.8%). The most useful supports were individual therapy (52.5%), media (35.6%), and peer groups (33.7%). Barriers included fear of losing coping mechanisms (63.4%) and minimizing problem severity (48.5%). Most students viewed campus as recovery-threatening (68.3%) and called for more supports, particularly substance-free residence housing (74.3%) and better access to services (29.7%). Findings underscore the need for recovery-inclusive strategies in Canadian higher education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493621
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Canadian University Students' Experiences of Addiction Recovery: A Pilot Study
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Victoria+F%2E+Burns%22">Victoria F. Burns</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ashley+Ethier%22">Ashley Ethier</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Noor+Hadad%22">Noor Hadad</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emily+Hennessy%22">Emily Hennessy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Andrew+Szeto%22">Andrew Szeto</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Canadian+Journal+of+Higher+Education%22"><i>Canadian Journal of Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 55(4):109-130.
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  Data: Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: http://journals.sfu.ca/cjhe/index.php/cjhe/index
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  Data: 0316-1218
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  Data: Addiction is a critical concern on Canadian post-secondary campuses, yet recovery remains largely overlooked. Guided by a recovery capital framework, this pilot survey explored the recovery characteristics, supports, and barriers among 101 Canadian university students (average age 24.5). Participants reflected diversity across gender (men 49.5%, women 39.6%, minoritized 10.9%), sexual orientation (LGBTQIA2S+ 46.5%), and race/ethnicity (racially minoritized 45.5%). Recovery pathways were primarily abstinence-based (59.4%), followed by non-abstinence approaches (25.7%) and those unsure (9.9%). Students reported recovering from alcohol (44.6%), cannabis (26.7%), self-harm (24.8%), nicotine (23.8%), and eating issues (21.8%). The most useful supports were individual therapy (52.5%), media (35.6%), and peer groups (33.7%). Barriers included fear of losing coping mechanisms (63.4%) and minimizing problem severity (48.5%). Most students viewed campus as recovery-threatening (68.3%) and called for more supports, particularly substance-free residence housing (74.3%) and better access to services (29.7%). Findings underscore the need for recovery-inclusive strategies in Canadian higher education.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 109
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Addictive Behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rehabilitation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Diversity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Substance Abuse
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alcohol Abuse
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Marijuana
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      – SubjectFull: Self Destructive Behavior
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      – SubjectFull: Smoking
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      – SubjectFull: Eating Disorders
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      – SubjectFull: Intervention
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      – SubjectFull: Counseling
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      – SubjectFull: Social Media
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      – SubjectFull: Peer Influence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Coping
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Canadian University Students' Experiences of Addiction Recovery: A Pilot Study
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