Perceptions of Addiction Medications Within Collegiate Recovery Communities

Addiction medications (AM) are effective in improving recovery outcomes, but many barriers still exist that reduce their implementation among young adults. While the perception of AM has been explored within clinicians and counselors in many settings, it has not yet been documented within collegiate recovery communities (CRC). The aim of this brief report is to assess the acceptability and intent to use AM among students in recovery, and to evaluate the effect of attitudes, perceived AM effectiveness, and social norms on these outcomes.

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, CRC students (N = 162; 44% female) within the United States completed an online survey.

Results from a hierarchical linear model indicated that the perceived acceptance of AM use by important others was significantly related to the intent to use AM ( β = 0.47, P < 0.01) and encourage others to use AM ( β = 0.16, P < 0.05). Positive attitudes about AM predicted acceptability of AM use ( β = 0.42, P < 0.01) and encouraging other CRC students to use AM ( β = 0.38, P < 0.01). Perceived AM effectiveness was positively associated with acceptability ( β = 0.36, P < 0.01) and encouragement of others ( β = 0.27, P < 0.01).

Results highlight the importance of promoting effectiveness, improving attitudes, and tapping social networks to increase AM use and acceptability among CRC students. Implications for CRC policy and programming are discussed.