Razorback Recovery to Host 10-Year Anniversary Open House Dec. 5

Ten years ago, the Razorback Recovery Community, a confidential community group for students in or seeking recovery, began in 2014.

To celebrate this milestone, U of A students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the 10-Year Anniversary Open House from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, on the second floor of the Pat Walker Health Center in the Wellness Lounge (HLTH 2132). Light snacks, cake and refreshments will be provided, and RSVPs can be made on HogSync, but are not required for attendance. 

Razorback Recovery is a departmental student organization within the Substance Education, Assessment and Recovery (SEAR) program, part of Medical Services at Pat Walker Health Center. SEAR makes substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery accessible to U of A students. SEAR and Razorback Recovery's mission is to help students overcome substance abuse issues, achieve academic success and promote personal and professional growth. 

Over the last decade, numerous students have been a part of the Razorback Recovery Community, but Meredith Dauria, a December 2023 graduate, is the first recognized graduate of the Razorback Recovery Community. Dauria first learned about the group from Gretchen Brannon, a nurse practitioner in the Primary Care Clinic at Pat Walker Health Center.  

"Razorback Recovery connected me with other peers who were in (or seeking) recovery from the same problem I've dealt with my whole life: addiction," Dauria said. "We are a strong support group of like-minded individuals who accept, guide, love and celebrate one another unconditionally." 

Ashley Jo Brown, the SEAR Program Collegiate Recovery Specialist and recovering addict herself, began leading the group in July 2023. Brown is a Peer in Training with the Arkansas Department of Human Services' Arkansas Peer Recovery program, on track to become a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. 

Brown said her goal for Razorback Recovery is to provide students with the opportunities and spaces to grow their relationships with each other through consistent fellowship. "My program gave me new friends and family, so that's what I'm working to build for Razorback® Recovery," Brown said. 

Razorback Recovery hosts weekly meetings for U of A community members on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Wellness Lounge (HLTH 2132). Anyone who is sober curious, an ally or who would like to experience a meeting, can join the group following the Open House at 5:30 p.m. All meeting dates and times can be found on health.uark.edu or via the group's Instagram @razorbackrecovery.   

"Fostering relationships with like-minded people toward a common goal is irreplaceable," Brown said. She shared that finding a new way to live is foundational for those in recovery and makes recovery sustainable for U of A community members who join the group.  

To learn more about Razorback Recovery, make plans to attend the Open House on Dec. 5, and more information can be found at health.uark.edu and @razorbackrecovery on Instagram.