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Fountain plaza at Florida State University, which has a Collegiate Recovery Program, LIFT, and is Mike Ortoll's alma mater.

COLLEGE RECOVERY
PROGRAMS

A Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) is a college or university-provided program that includes a supportive environment within the campus culture. CRPs reinforce the decision to engage in a lifestyle of recovery from addiction/substance use disorder. It is designed to provide an educational opportunity alongside recovery supports to ensure that students do not have to sacrifice one for the other.

Florida State Universty students gather at an information table for LIFT, FSU's Collegiate Recovery Program.

THE PROBLEM

There are 20 million plus students in college spread over 5,000 campuses.

meet the medical definition of substance abuse.

 

24%

 

Of Students

 
Closeup of students walking at Florida State University, partner of Christine Ortoll Charity in LIFT, a Collegiate Recovery Program.
Closeup of a building on the campus of Florida State University, home of LIFT, FSU's Collegiate Recovery Program.

95%

of U.S. higher education

 

does not have recovery programs.

 

 

Christine Ortoll Charity partnered with Florida State University to build one of the most successful College Recovery Programs in the country.

 

 

CHARITY IN ACTION

 

Mike Ortoll shakes hands with Angela Chong, celebrating LIFT as a partnership of Christine Ortoll Charity and FSU.
Student members of LIFT, Florida State University's College Recovery Program, gathered for a meeting and smiling.

Florida State University’s – College Recovery Program (CRP), is called LIFT

Living Intentionally, Finding Togetherness.

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The mission of LIFT is to support students interested in recovery from addiction and substance misuse thrive during their college experience. Students learn beneficial coping skills in an accountable recovery community where they can develop friendships with like-minded peers

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In our first year, LIFT engaged with over 1,000 students. Research shows students that participate in college recovery are more apt to have higher graduation rates, higher GPAs, are less likely to relapse and have a greater likelihood of continuing to thrive in society.

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For an overview: https://chaw.fsu.edu/services/lift

SEE WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED

AT FSU

 

THE SOLUTION

 

Let's commit to building CRPs at all universities in the nation!

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Funding CRPs should be the biggest goal of all higher education due to a fourfold increase in mental illness, rising substance misuse and the deadly consequences of drugs laced with fentanyl.

Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE)

 

The focus of ARHE is to serve as a national resource for propagating and supporting the vision of collegiate recovery programs. 

Association of Recovery in Higher Education home page
SAFE Project website

Normalizing recovery and decreasing stigma on every college campus through advocacy, education, mentorship and support.

SAFE Campuses

Mike Ortoll, found of Christine Ortoll Charity, looks out over the campus of his alma mater, Florida State University.

"It only takes
one Alum to
bring recovery
to their alma mater."

CRPs help students pursue their education and sustain their recovery simultaneously—a benefit to students, universities, families and society.

 

See a CRP overview

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RESOURCES:

An overview of CRP Best Practices Guide.

 
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