Welcome to The Cove, UCSC’s Harm Reduction & Recovery Community 

What Is a Harm Reduction/Recovery Community?

A Harm Reduction/Recovery Community (sometimes called a Collegiate Recovery Program) is a community of students and others in recovery and supportive of recovery from alcohol and/or other drug addictive disorders who can come together and help each other flourish. Staff and faculty who support and provide services to this community work with students to create an environment that maximizes community members’ potential for personal and academic success. At UC Santa Cruz, the program advances the university’s educational, research and public service mission. This includes support meetings, counseling and coaching resources, health and wellness services, social activities and networking, mentoring and space in which many of these activities take place. It may also include an on or off-campus sober living space. 

Contact: thecove@ucsc.edu

To read more about Collegiate Recovery Programs, visit the Association of Recovery in Higher Education and the SAFE Project websites.

What is The Cove?

The Cove is an all-inclusive community for students recovering from alcohol and/or other drugs, loved ones of those with addictions, allies, and anyone else who supports recovery. We are a diverse group, varying in ages and lengths of sobriety. The Cove is supported by staff and faculty at the university and community members. 

Why Have a Harm Reduction/Recovery Community?

Students in recovery from addiction to alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs, behaviors and relationships and their allies make up a growing population at UC Santa Cruz and other colleges across the nation and need support, resources, and services to thrive.  

Additionally, a significant number of students who aren’t in recovery themselves choose to remain substance free for many reasons. UC Santa Cruz recognizes the vital contributions of students in recovery, their allies, and others who are substance free. The university also knows that in order to thrive, these students need support, resources, and services. For these reasons, UC Santa Cruz has built a coalition of students, staff, and faculty who form and support The Cove. 

According to one fourth-year UC Santa Cruz student, “Without the support of my peers and those who contribute to and help maintain my recovery, I would be lost. Lost in the deep black hole that is addiction. To uphold my recovery I must surround myself with those people who nourish my life; those people are the ones who have a deep understanding of where I have come from and the challenges that lie ahead.  Synergistically, we work together to achieve what none of us believed we could do on our own.”

About The Cove

The Cove is a safe space to be in community with other students that are committed to their recovery from alcohol and/or other drugs, are the loved one of someone with an addiction, are someone who wants to support those in recovery, are interested in recovery or just want to meet other students who are substance-free and looking for community. Slugs for Health and Growth is also for you if you are seeking:

• Involvement in fun, sober events (on and off-campus)
• Connections to resources for wellness and support
• Recovery support and accountability
• Opportunities to be of service
• Opportunities to debunk stereotypes and myths about addiction and recovery

The Cove has weekly workshops, recovery meetings and drop in hours (when campus is having in-person classes) for students seeking support from their peers. 

Is The Cove For Me?

For the Newest Cove Events: Visit our Instagram page