English 中文网 漫画网 爱新闻iNews 翻译论坛
中国网站品牌栏目(频道)
当前位置: Language Tips > Normal Speed News VOA常速

Student addicts live, recover together at US university program

[ 2012-05-14 17:39]     字号 [] [] []  
免费订阅30天China Daily双语新闻手机报:移动用户编辑短信CD至106580009009

Drugs and alcohol are easily available on most college campuses in the United States. Now several American universities are offering separate substance-free housing and therapy for students recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. Rutgers University in New Jersey is the institution that pioneered such housing in 1988.

At Rutgers University, this student is scoring in a game of virtual soccer. It was a small victory in one of two recovery dorms. The 38 students in the so-called Recovery House here seek a larger victory - a life free of drugs and alcohol.

Counselors asked that current residents not be shown to protect their anonymity.

Gregory says his abuse included prescription drugs usually prescribed for anxiety.

"Klonopins, Xanax, alcohol, marijuana and all of these were on a daily basis. It escalated to the point where I really couldn't focus on my schoolwork."

He dropped out of his first university, got clean at a treatment center and applied to Rutgers. He said he's found genuine fellowship in Recovery House.

"These are friends also that I can talk to about some really personal issues that are going on in my life. Previously, my friendships, especially when I was using [drugs], were friendships based on 'let's get high together,'" said Gregory.

Lisa Laitman founded the university's Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program. She said students with a good amount of time in recovery help the newcomers break out of the isolation associated with addiction.

"The new person is going to breathe a sigh of relief and say: 'I'm not alone. I'm not the only one who does these crazy things," said Laitman.

In addition to remaining abstinent, residents must attend twice weekly meetings to discuss their addictions.

Program alumnus Rich Alexander remembers discussions about sobriety. He's been sober for 22 years.

"That's what we talked about, 'how are you going to stay sober today?' And that's it: today, today, today," said Alexander.

The students also must participate in what's known as the 12-step program for overcoming addiction. Step 9, for example, is about making amends to those the addict has harmed.

"You need to make amends to people to move past how we've messed up in the past. And so it's basically always being aware of our defects of character and making sure that we correct those things," said one recovery house participant.

Cathy, an immigrant from England, said she had lost her daughter to heroin and credits Recovery House for getting her back.

"They do barbecues, they go see hockey games, they have walking activities, cycling activities. So this thing is going on which they do together as a family, team, whatever you want to call it," she said.

Without support, recovering students could relapse into drugs and alcohol. Recovery House means they have the chance to continue their studies without interruption. Rutgers says many program alumni have won big victories in life - higher degrees, successful careers, and meaningful relationships.

sobriety: moderation in or abstinence from consumption of alcoholic liquor or use of drugs 戒除(酗酒和滥用药物)

Related stories:

Health risks in a crowd: not what you may think

“药驾”也危险

艾米父亲:英学校应必修毒品课

World Health Organization says alcohol abuse is an international problem

(来源:VOA 编辑:旭燕)

 
中国日报网英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883631联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。
 

关注和订阅

人气排行

翻译服务

中国日报网翻译工作室

我们提供:媒体、文化、财经法律等专业领域的中英互译服务
电话:010-84883468
邮件:translate@chinadaily.com.cn