Welcome from the Coordinator

Welcome to the Center for Addiction Recovery at Georgia Southern University, and thank you for visiting our website. My name is Kristen Harper, and I am the Coordinator for the Center, which is located in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. The Center exists to serve the research, teaching, and service needs of Georgia Southern University. We are a non-profit entity dedicated to research, educational programs and services focusing on addiction and the process of long-term recovery. The center is modeled after the highly effective Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery at Texas Tech University.

The main issue facing a collegiate recovering population is lack of structured addiction and recovery programs, particularly peer support programs. It is the main goal of C.A.R., to provide that needed support to the recovering students here at Georgia Southern University. We plan to implement a comprehensive support system for individual students seeking specific recovery programs, as well as, good fellowship and fun. Providing the opportunity for healthy social networking will cultivate success for students in recovery. We will make a difference in the lives of students here at Georgia Southern. Specifically, the Center for Addiction Recovery will:

• Provide recovering students with programs and services to facilitate academic success;
• Conduct research that contributes to the improvement of prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies that are involved in the study of addictive disorders;
• Contribute to social and community development through service projects;
• Empower students to use education as a means of improving self-confidence, decision-making skills, and interpersonal relationships; and
• Be recognized in higher education for its unique Collegiate Recovery community.

We hope that the University and the community at large can benefit greatly from the rich experience of our recovering students and staff. Please do not hesitate to call for resources regarding addiction literature or to set up interviews with students or others in the recovery community. Through research and education we hope to provide service, support, and understanding to both Georgia Southern and Statesboro.
Sincerely,

Kristen K. Harper M.Ed.
Coordinator for the Center for Addiction Recovery
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health