Studies have shown the substance-free social events you are planning can provide an opportunity for campus members in – or seeking – recovery to build social connections, have fun, and relax without feeling the pressure to use substance to feel that they belong. But community-focused, recovery-friendly events don’t happen by chance.
There are many factors that go into the planning and promotion of any event, but planning substance-free events add an additional layer of complexity that can be a bit daunting. Let me encourage you that it’s also a chance to get creative in your planning! Even if we remove the element of substance-use we can have some fun “filling the senses” with other healthy, safe, and surprizing alternatives.
Consider what your guests will see, hear, taste, touch, and feel when they are at your event. Will they see an interesting video, art displays, or fun decor? Will they hear from someone with lived experience or a local musician? Will they taste some non-alcoholic drinks or sample some creative snacks? Will they touch activities like games, crafts, or a quiz wheel? Will they feel a warm welcome from your volunteers?
Take time to run your event plan through each of the senses to be sure you’ve added elements that leave your guests with a full experience that they can feel good about the next day! It’s our job as organizers to ensure anything we add to our event is in service to our guests. If done well, your work in providing safe, substance-free events will be a welcome addition to your campus activities!
We’d love to hear from you! What will your guests see, hear, taste, touch, and feel at your next event?
