By Nathan Patzke
One way I minister to others is through my “main gig” as Ministry Associate at Baylor University’s Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center (BARC). My time at the BARC started like most of the people involved there, in addiction. I have struggled with addiction to many things throughout my life such as narcotics, alcohol and pornography. The ministry that I do at the BARC is a significant part of my addiction recovery, while also helping college students through their own addiction recovery.
The BARC pre-COVID was a “hoppin” place. Students seemed to be okay with admitting addiction and seeking help openly. The BARC is grateful to have its own space on campus where students are free to come hang out, do homework, socialize and raid the fridge for La Croix. This setting was what initially drew me to the BARC. I had a place where my emotions were felt, and where they were publicized (publicizing emotions was something that I needed, but not everyone needs/wants that).
The Pandemic changed everything. Aside from mentioning the millions of lives lost and the brokenness in society in general, the way students respond to addiction recovery went through a noticeable change. Our attendance at weekly meetings, as well as general attendance on a day-to-day basis, dropped tremendously. Students appear to have “lost interest” in our addiction recovery program. While I do not believe that statement to be true, the attendance change I have seen makes me question this internally.
15.6% of college students ages 18-25 admitted to having an addiction to some sort of substance during the year 2020, amounting to around 5.2 million students.[1] The same report made in 2021 showed that around 25.6% of the same age group, or around 8.6 million students, struggled with addiction, rising 10% in just one year of the Pandemic.[2] These statistics from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health concludes that the Pandemic presented a terrifying fact: one in every four college students struggle with addiction in these Post-Pandemic times.
Our job at the BARC is not to “heal” these students, but to allow them a place to speak on their addiction(s) openly and honestly. With the recognition of the drop in attendance after the Pandemic, I can only worry for our students who are either fearful of addiction recovery or feel utterly hopeless after our time of quarantine. My hope with this post is that these college students, including graduate students, understand that collegiate recovery programs are here for them.
Aside from the BARC staff needing to adjust our methodology moving forward out of the Pandemic, college students must understand the efficacy of these types of programs. One of the main draws to our program is the use of undergraduate student workers, who run meetings and provide general discussion for their peers in addiction. We have a strong group of undergraduates who all have a passion for their fellow students and feel strongly about their recovery journeys.
This use of students in collegiate recovery allows the BARC to be more personable. Student workers allow us staff members to perform larger-scoped projects in an attempt to reach more Baylor students, as well as interact with other university departments like the counseling or spiritual life centers. If you or someone you know is attempting to begin, or grow, a collegiate recovery program, I hope this advice to equip students in your recovery program proves beneficial. If you have any other questions, concerns, or recommendations regarding collegiate recovery programs, my inbox is always open at: Nathan_patzke2@baylor.edu.
For an interactive map of all Collegiate Recovery Programs in the U.S., visit this link: https://collegiaterecovery.org/crps-crcs/
Nathan Patzke serves as a ministry associate for Baylor University’s Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center (BARC). He is a third-year M.Div. student at Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP21-07-01-003, NSDUH Series H-56). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/
[2] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP22-07-01-005, NSDUH Series H-57). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2021-nsduh-annual-national-report