Collegiate Recovery Community – Page 2

Little 500

Posted on March 30, 2023 by ciboughe

Little 500

This is a great fun way to connect with other students and spend time together for a good cause with a rich history to help raise scholarship money for undergraduate students. The Race Day is one of the larger events at IU, however it can come with some challenges. Alcohol has become a large part of this tradition, which if safely done can be fun. If you are maintaining sobriety, this can be difficult because it is so heavily tied in the tradition. You can support your friends in the race or just go with friends and participate in the other aspects of this race and tradition without consuming alcohol and still have fun.

If Drinking at Little 500

-look ahead at the weather conditions and prepare, April is unpredictable. It can be very hot which can create a situation where you will become dehydrated faster making the effects of alcohol have more effect. If it’s raining, you can be unaware due to the substances of your body temperature and it will increase your chances of getting sick from the flu or another infection because, so if it will rain dress accordingly.

Eat beforehand and during the event, eat before you begin drinking
Alternate between Alcohol and water throughout the day to stay hydrated and to cut down on overconsumption
-Do not drive, have a sober friend give you a ride.
-Work with the knowledge that it takes 45 minutes for your body to process alcohol
To Avoid Alcohol Poisoning
Avoid overdrinking, slow your roll, alternate with water
Avoid mixing substances
Know if you are on medication that will lower your tolerance
Eat before beginning to drink
Consider only having at most one drink per hour

Know the signs

Blackout, dehydration or flushing, amnesia, mental confusion or unresponsiveness, sickness or vomiting, aggression or a lack of self-control, melancholy, euphoria, problems with coordination, fast involuntary eye movement, or slurred speech are all signs to watch out for.

To maintain Sobriety if attending

Have a recovery plan
Identify your triggers and know how to tackle them
Set boundaries for interacting with family and friends that may be there or want to go with you that are not supportive or potentially triggering or just need firmer boundaries with
Go with peers and family members who support your recovery
Stay in touch with recovery groups, ask someone from your group to come with you so you can stay focused on maintaining your recovery.

Maintaining Sobriety on a Party-friendly Campus

Posted on March 29, 2023 by ciboughe

Indiana University has earned the reputation of being a party school; however, it has many other things to offer. Especially for those in or maintaining recovery, it is important to look at ways to create an environment for yourself that does not reflect an environment that could be potentially harmful. There are other ways to do this other than going to CRC meetings, on Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. or using the resources over at SUIS and the CRC, this can look different for each person. Here are some general ideas for maintaining sobriety on a party campus, whether you are just beginning your sobriety, or you’ve been sober for some time:

Support Systems

A good support system is important for anyone, but it is especially important when you are going through a difficult time. A good place to start is the CRC support group that meets on Tuesdays; however, having friends, family, or a mentor who empathizes with your struggles and your journey is also important. Especially on a campus that has such a lively party atmosphere, it is important to have other atmospheres to engage in and explore. IU offers thousands of clubs, cultural events, and programs to benefit from that have a sober-friendly environment, but if you are not engaged in a club at IU where you feel close or comfortable enough to confide in those members about your sobriety, it is important to have your friends hold you accountable, support your journey, and be honest with you about your recovery.

Keeping a Routine

Both school and sobriety are done best with a routine. Between cheering for your favorite Hoosier team, going to classes, doing homework, and studying for an exam, free time inevitably comes. For maintaining sobriety, one of the biggest challenges is boredom and downtime, which is why it can be a good idea to have a routine that fills those gaps. Healthy ways to do this can be hanging out with sober-positive friends and catching up on your favorite show with them, volunteering, a job on campus or off campus, calling up a friend or family member from home; going to a group exercise class for completely free at the SRSC, joining a club that is just for fun, such as IU Outdoor Adventures, journaling; or hammocking on a beautiful day.

Do Not Take on More than you can Handle

While it is important to have a routine, you should not take on more than you can handle. Stress is one of the largest factors in relapse, so make sure you are resting, and have fun, relaxing events scheduled. When you have a routine, it’s important to realize that, at times, it’s okay to break it as long as you can come back to it. If you are constantly putting too much into your daily routine and daily stress, it will then make the tool no longer helpful but potentially harmful. A daily, structured routine is great if you can be flexible and kind to yourself.

Holiday Break

Posted on December 13, 2022 by gardnbai

First of all, congratulations on making it through your first semester of the school year! That’s a big accomplishment, especially for someone in recovery. Now, like most, you may be going home for the holiday break, which can come with stressors of its own. Here is some advice we wanted to share to minimize stress and possible triggers over the holidays:

Let your friends and family know that you are in recovery and explain to them what that looks like for you.
If you are involved in 12-step meetings or recovery group meetings locally, try to find some at home that you can attend. Or, you can keep in touch with your local recovery group over break.
Identify your stressors and triggers and implement ways to avoid them. This may mean not visiting with certain friends who you feel may be a bad influence or unsupportive of your recovery.
In addition to this, set boundaries with friends and family members. This might mean setting time limits for family gatherings or, again, choosing not to see people who are not supportive of your lifestyle in recovery.
We know it can be stressful to buy gifts for everyone, and as a student, you likely don’t have a large income to spend on gifts. With this in mind, we recommend setting price limits on gifts or making peoples’ gift instead.
Get in a good routine. Three weeks off of school, without a set schedule can seem daunting.
Find sober gatherings to attend. For example, instead of going out to the bars with friends, you could plan a game or movie night.
Lastly, loneliness can be a big trigger for those in recovery. Remind yourself that just because you are in recovery or abstaining from substances doesn’t mean you can’t still spend time with people.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the CRC over break at crcs@indiana.edu or 812-856-3898 if you need support.

Thanksgiving Break in Recovery

Posted on November 8, 2022 by gardnbai

Here at the Collegiate Recovery Community we recognize that the holiday season can be a stressful one for students in recovery. You will have more free time without classes in session and may find it difficult to fill that time with activities that are supportive of your recovery. With this in mind, we wanted to provide some tips for how to spend your break whether you will be on campus or going home.

Are you staying on campus for break?

Make a recovery plan (this will look different for everyone)
Reach out to friends, club members, or even professors to see who’s in town
Look into events happening on campus
- Attend a women’s basketball game on 11/20 at 1:00 or 11/25 at 8:45
- Visit the Eskenazi Museum of Art
- Attend the CAPS Mindfulness Meditation Workshop on 11/22 from 12-1 (https://iu-baa.zoom.us/j/87184461394#success)
- Attend open mic night at the IMU on 11/22 from 7-9
Work extra hours if that’s fulfilling
Decorate your dorm room, house, or apartment for the winter holiday season

Are you going home for break?

Again, make a recovery plan
Identify your triggers and know how to tackle them
Set boundaries for interacting with family and friends
Spend time with peers and family members who support your recovery
Stay in touch with recovery groups

Lastly, our office will be open November 21st-23rd, so do not hesitate to stop by or reach out over Thanksgiving break!

Stay Spooky and Sober in Bloomington

Posted on October 13, 2022 by gardnbai

October can be stressful for those in recovery. With Halloween come weeks-long celebrations that are not always supportive of recovery and sobriety. To ensure that you can maintain your goals in recovery while also having fun and celebrating fall and Halloween, we’d like to share with you some events happening in Bloomington this month.

Dearly Departed Cemetery Tours

Date: Saturday, October 15
Time: 5:30-9:30 pm
Location: Rose Hill Cemetery
Admission: $12.00 per person

Listen to ghost stories and learn the history of Rose Hill Cemetery.

IU Cinema Friday Night Frights

Date: Friday, October 21
Time: 10:00 pm
Location: IU Cinema
Admission: Free, but registration is required

Attend a screening of Bodies Bodies Bodies at the IU Cinema.

Skate and Scare

Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: 6:45 pm
Location: Frank Southern Ice Arena
Admission: $6.00 per person plus $3.00 per skate rental

Ice skate through a haunter house at Frank Southern.

Festival of Ghost Stories

Date: Friday, October 28
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
Location: Bryan Park
Admission: Free

September: National Recovery Month

Posted on September 6, 2022 by gardnbai

September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate those in recovery or those taking steps towards recovery. The recurring theme of National Recovery Month set forth by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person. Every Family. Every Community.” This emphasizes the need for greater family and community involvement and creating connections which support recovery. In celebration of National Recovery Month, IU Collegiate Recovery Community will be hosting two events.

Our first event will be Tuesday, September 13^th from 4-6 PM, prior to our weekly support group meetings. This even will be an open house for the CRC. We will have snacks and beverages and be available to answer any questions you may have about our recovery community at IU.

Our second event, “Recovery is Groovy”, will be on Friday, September 30^th at 2 PM. We will be tie dying t-shirts purple, the Recovery Month color!

Both these events will be held at our office (508 N Fess Ave) and are open to any IU students who are interested in learning about recovery, have friends or family members in recovery, or are in recovery themselves. We hope to see you at one of these events or at our weekly support group meetings on Tuesdays from 6-7 PM at 508 N Fess Ave.

Returning to School in Recovery

Posted on September 1, 2022 by gardnbai

Welcome back to campus! Returning to school while in recovery can feel incredibly overwhelming. We would like to provide some tips for you to actively participate in your recovery as well as your classes and campus involvement.

First, it is important to build a support network. Whether this be through attending Collegiate Recovery Community meetings or other club meetings on campus, in town, or online; find people who will support you through your recovery.
- Attend a CRC meeting on Tuesdays from 6-7 at 506 N Fess Ave or reach out to the community at crcs@iu.edu or 812-856-3898 to set up a one-on-one meeting.
Next, find ways you can manage your stress. This may include things like yoga or other forms of meditation or exercise, coffee/study dates with friends, leaving time in your schedule to participate in hobbies, or scheduling breaks throughout your day to rest.
- Visit the following link https://groupexpro.com/schedule/575/?view=responsive to find yoga and exercise classes at the SRSC. Participation is free with your student ID.
- Checkout local coffee shops like The Inkwell and Soma for morning coffee dates or visit Runcible Spoon for late night study dates.
- Schedule time in your day for your hobbies. This might mean doing crafts (knitting, sewing, painting, etc.), reading, walking, listening to music, or just taking time to rest.
Create a consistent schedule for yourself which meets all of your needs (recovery-wise, academically, and socially).
- Prioritize your recovery goals by meeting with a psychotherapist, attending support meetings, moderating substance use or maintaining/reaching sobriety, etc.
- Consider seeing a peer academic coach or tutor on campus who can help you with time management skills or specific course-related difficulties.
- Find supportive friends on campus with similar interests and life experiences.
Finally, socialize in a manner that supports your recovery.
- The first few weeks of school typically mean spending time around old or new friends in social environments you may not necessarily feel comfortable in. If you feel these social interactions may not support you or your recovery, find alternatives. The Collegiate Recovery Community will be hosting sober events in September and would love to see you there.

Good luck in navigating your return to campus. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Collegiate Recovery Community if you need any support. We are located 506 N Fess Ave and can be reached by phone or email at 812-856-3898 or crcs@indiana.edu.

Recovery and Summer Break

Posted on June 2, 2022 by kheaphy

Summer break can be an overwhelming time for students in recovery. With summer comes more social outings and longer days that might bring struggles and temptations. However, summer break is also a great time to find new hobbies, passions, and activities that don’t include substances. Be prepared this summer- come up with a game plan for social events, balance your schedule, and pay attention to your emotions with HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired).

Here are some quick tips for maintaining your recovery this summer:

Stay in touch with your recovery group! Whether it’s your home group or the Collegiate Recovery Community, keeping in touch with your recovery support group is an essential part of maintaining your recovery over breaks.
Bring a designated friend with you to parties/events that will leave early with you, stay sober with you, or just provide general support to you in moments of pressure.
Find sober friendly things to do in your town! Some ideas: research outdoor events, try new activities like rollerblading or paddle boarding, or learn how to practice mindfulness.

Summer break can be a great time to try new hobbies that you maybe would have never tried before. Bloomington has a ton to do all year round, but especially during the summertime! Check out these ideas of substance-free things to do if you’re staying in town this summer:

Nature Trails

Bloomington has so many beautiful walking and hiking trails. Just a short drive from campus is Griffy Lake and Brown County State Park- both of which have trails of varying lengths and abilities. Alltrails is a great resource for finding trails and hiking spots near you. It puts all of the information you need to know about the trail on one simple to access page. Check out their list of the 10 best trails and hikes in Bloomington here: https://www.alltrails.com/us/indiana/bloomington

Food Truck Fridays

Food Truck Fridays in Bloomington are always a good time! You can find a wide variety of food trucks, live music performances, art, and more every Friday from April through October, starting at 11:00 am and going until 9:00 pm. There is a brief period every Friday evening from 5:30-7:00pm where alcohol is served by select vendors and in designated areas- other than that this event is completely substance-free. More info here: https://www.visitbloomington.com/things-to-do/downtown/food-truck-friday/

Starlite Drive-In

The Starlite Drive-In is a must for Bloomington summers. Originally opened in 1955, the Starlite Drive-In is a great place to catch a movie and enjoy some snacks while also enjoying the outdoors. For more information and movie tickets check out their website here: http://www.starlitebloomington.com/index.html

There’s so much more that Bloomington has to offer in the summers, like weekly farmers markets, fishing holes, free festivals, and so many delicious ice cream shops. Research what your town has to offer and make the most out of your summer break! Maintaining your recovery will be made easier with a game plan.

The Collegiate Recovery Community is here to help you on your recovery journey. We provide support, sober events, and community resources to all IU students. We hold weekly support meetings in the spring and fall semesters.

Phone: 812-856-3898

Email: crcs@indiana.edu

508 N. Fess

Bloomington, IN 47408

Self-Care in Recovery

Posted on April 28, 2022 by kheaphy

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care isn’t a cure, and it isn’t a fix all- it includes acts that you do on purpose to better care for your mental, physical, and emotional health. Self-care has become a popular word in our society in recent years, and the influx in the use of the word has conflated self-care with aftercare- taking care of yourself after working hard or doing a tough thing. Self-care is different. Self-care acts include proactive, on-purpose things you do throughout your day to better care for your overall health, not just after a tough situation. The use of the term has also led to the idea that self-care can only include things like getting your nails done or doing a face mask. While that may count as self-care to some, there are so many different things individuals can choose for themselves. Self-care is unique to each individual and their needs and interests. Photo depicts a frog listening to music. Above the frog it reads "find little moments of joy." Tips For Practicing Self-Care in Recovery

Substance use disorders and the harmful thought patterns and behaviors that often come along with them instill routines of self-harm. The opposite of this is self-care, which is why it is so important for those in recovery to practice this. Try to pay attention to your body with acronyms like HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired)- ask yourself if you are feeling hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Pay attention to the environments you typically feel those ways in, who you are with, and question your recent self-care habits. You don’t have to wait till you start to feel these things building up. Practicing self-care allows you to proactively care for yourself in these ways so that you can give yourself the best chance of being able to regulate when these emotions do arise.

Start by giving yourself basic self-care routines, such as waking up at a certain time, brushing your teeth every morning, drinking enough water daily, and attending weekly support groups. As these routines become easier, it will become more natural to add in little ways to take care of yourself throughout the day. Exam week is a good time to try out some new, less time-consuming self-care habits. Look for little moments of joy throughout your day. Take the time to smell a flower, practice deep breathing, listen to your favorite song before an exam, set an alarm that’s an encouraging note to yourself, wear your favorite perfume or cologne, put on your favorite socks, get yourself a little snack, hydrate, and fit in time for the things that make you happy. There are so many different ways to make our days a little bit lighter if we allow ourselves to see the joy in the everyday.

The Collegiate Recovery Community is here to help you on your recovery journey. We provide support, sober events, and community resources to all IU students. Feel free to reach out to us or stop by for a one-on-one chat anytime!

Phone: 812-856-3898

Email: crcs@indiana.edu

508 N. Fess Bloomington, IN 47408

What is Recovery?

Posted on March 22, 2022 by kheaphy

Recovery is more than just changing your relationship with substances. It is a life-long process that encapsulates health, wellness, intentionality, and purpose. Recovery focuses on community, home, and connection. It is a process that analyzes all parts of a person’s life; seeking purpose and wellness in all areas. For many, the recovery process starts with an individual making a decision to change. This person-driven desire to change is highly individualized and unique for each person on their recovery journey. For some, recovery might look like in-patient programs and/or therapy services. Others might only want peer support or seek help through their church or spirituality. Regardless of one’s journey, the core mission of recovery is the same- to embrace wellness, to heal, and to work towards building the life for yourself that you desire.

The image depicts the words "Recovery emerges from hope" in a field of flowers. Recovery looks different for everyone, and it can mean different things to different people. Recovery can be: embracing wellness, healing and learning to live with mental illness, building self-advocacy skills, identifying and changing unhealthy relationships, developing balance and healthy coping skills, cutting out things that make you feel bad, identifying and changing unhealthy environments, and choosing to work towards being your best self- just to name a few. Anyone can be on a recovery journey, regardless of your relationship with substance use. Choosing to create a better life for yourself is brave and is something that you should celebrate! As we finish out this Spring semester, ask yourself: Am I taking care of me? Am I creating an environment for myself that fosters stability and comfort? Am I nurturing my body and my brain? Do I need help navigating my recovery/wellness journey with the support of a mental health professional?

The Collegiate Recovery Community is here to help you on your recovery journey. We provide support, sober events, and community resources to all IU students. Feel free to join us for our weekly support meeting every Tuesday at 6 PM or stop by for a one-on-one chat!

Phone: 812-856-3898

Email: crcs@indiana.edu

506 N. Fess Bloomington, IN 47408