Peers influencing peers: substance abuse patterns among students in recovery schools

Abstract

Underage drinking and drug use continues to be a problem in our public schools. Minnesota has been at the forefront of the school choice movement and continues to provide a variety of educational programs for students with substance abuse problems. This study focuses on one of those programs, recovery-based high schools. The results from this study suggest that sober peer role models positively influence the substance use behaviors of other students at the school. Not only were role models found at the schools but these findings also suggest that students were transformed into role models while attending the school. Recovery school role models displayed behaviors and attitudes reflecting positive self-esteem. This increased self-esteem may help to empower students in recovery to maintain their sobriety in and outside the recovery school environment.