College is one of the hardest places to stay sober. Drinking culture is built into orientation, dorm life, and most weekends. Collegiate recovery programs were created so students in recovery do not have to navigate that alone.
For a closer look at what that work looks like up close, we sat down with John Shiflet, Ph.D. Student, MSW, and Program Director of Collegiate Recovery Services at Texas A&M.
Meet John Shiflet, Program Director of Collegiate Recovery Services at Texas A&M
John Shiflet has maintained long-term recovery since May 1, 2007. He was accepted to the Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery at Texas Tech University in 2008, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Community, Family, and Addiction Services in December 2012. By 2013, he served as director of Cougars in Recovery at the University of Houston.
In May 2019, John earned his Master of Social Work degree with a clinical focus from the University of Houston. He now leads the Aggie Recovery Community as Director of Collegiate Recovery Services at Texas A&M and serves as Southwest Regional Representative for the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE).
John received the Staff of the Year award at the Collegiate Recovery National Conference in New Orleans, recognizing his commitment to building recovery-friendly campuses.
Changing the Narrative of Recovery in College
When John appeared on the Positive Recovery MD podcast in 2020, he reframed recovery in collegiate settings. Rather than viewing sobriety as restrictive, he described it as gathering around a bonfire sharing life, laughter, and meaningful conversations.
A few topics discussed include:
- The power of accountability and doing things together
- How addressing addiction head-on is more beneficial than hiding from it
- Why intentional goal setting strengthens our recovery process
- How practicing gratitude allows us to focus on the positives
- Why building a strong community helps us become better individuals
Through his leadership, John demonstrated that recovery can be joyful, community-based, and deeply fulfilling. He emphasized accountability, intentional goal setting, and gratitude as key recovery components, making clear that the recovery process does not have to be mundane or lonely.
Helping a College Student Who Needs Support?
Our admissions team can help families think through next steps for a student who is struggling, whether that is outpatient care between semesters or a longer reset.
Why Collegiate Recovery Programs Matter
College presents unique challenges for students in recovery. Without appropriate support structures, young adults face social pressures, academic stress, and mental health difficulties that can compromise their progress.
Collegiate recovery programs like those John directs are essential because they provide safe spaces, peer support, and structured resources enabling students to maintain sobriety while pursuing higher education. These communities offer recovery housing, counseling, weekly meetings, and sober events designed to empower rather than isolate participants.
John's work with both Cougars in Recovery and Aggie Recovery exemplifies what these programs can accomplish. His compassionate leadership, clinical expertise, and lived experience make him a trusted guide for students navigating the complexity of outpatient recovery and ongoing sobriety.
Creating a Lasting Impact Through Peer Support
John's influence extends beyond individual campuses. Through his role as Southwest Regional Representative for ARHE and his mentoring work, he continues advocating for accessible, student-centered recovery support nationwide. His journey illustrates that recovery involves building connection, meaning, and purpose alongside overcoming addiction.
Positive Recovery celebrates John Shiflet as a leader and advocate demonstrating what is possible when recovery and education intersect.
At Positive Recovery, the belief is firm that everyone deserves healing and growth opportunities, especially during transformative seasons like college. Leaders like John Shiflet show that recovery can flourish academically, enabling students to build futures filled with hope and lasting success.
If a student in your life is struggling with alcohol or other substances, our team can help you sort out the next step. Call us at 713-904-4699 to talk through outpatient options and aftercare support in Houston, Austin, and DFW.