Eagles in Recovery - Student Affairs

Eagles in Recovery’s primary focus is to support UMW students in different stages of recovery from substance use, from those who are “sober curious” to those who have been abstinent for days, months, or years.

Eagles in Recovery works to ensure UMW students do not have to choose between their recovery and their education. We support students through their journey here at UMW with meetings and organized events, and we provide a safe space for recovery meetings and peer support.

Eagles in Recovery is available to all UMW students who want to support or sustain their recovery, or who want to help support peers in recovery. We can also assist students who are looking for ways to get help with their active addiction, and we can put them in touch with appropriate resources within or outside of UMW.

UMW students are welcome to join us for peer recovery meetings, or to attend one-on-one meetings with our Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS). Additionally, we offer “friends and family” meetings and support for students, faculty, and staff who are affected, or who have been affected in the past, by another individual’s use of alcohol or other substances.

We offer Recovery Ally Training for anyone in the UMW community who is interested in learning how to support the recovery community. Please contact us for more information. We also do outreach on campus–keep an eye out for the Recovery Coffee Bike! (We also have tea and hot chocolate, and best of all, it’s all FREE.)

We cultivate working relationships with area organizations such as the Rappahannock Area Counseling Services Board (RACSB), Pinnacle Treatment Centers, and Lighthouse. The aim of these relationships is to create more seamless transitions for students exploring recovery who might need support beyond the resources available to them at UMW.

To connect with someone in Eagles in Recovery, or if you have any questions, please contact one of the following staff members:

Ray Tuttle (Chair), rtuttle@umw.edu 540-654-1660
Devin Walsh (Peer Recovery Specialist, PRS), dwalsh@umw.edu 540-654-5640 (Office hours: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, 1:00 -3:00 PM, or by appointment)
Our general email account is eaglesinrecovery@gmail.com

Meetings and Resources

Weekly Recovery Meetings

During the academic year when classes are in session, Eagles in Recovery offers weekly meetings.

In Spring 2025, recovery meetings are on Thursdays at 6 PM. Meetings are in the Eagles in Recovery Clubhouse (Link 305). The meetings focus on discussion about recovery and related topics.

What to expect at a meeting

Meetings are a group setting in which people can discuss recovery-related topics and support each other in their recovery journey. Our meetings are not based on the 12-step tradition, although those following a 12-step model are welcome. Instead we embrace an all-recovery model, and all people and pathways. This is not a treatment program; this is a space to create compassionate communication and mutual respect. These meetings are student-centered, with guidance provided by a Peer Recovery Support Specialist who is also a person in recovery.

Recovery meetings are available in person and virtually, via Zoom. For information about joining a meeting via Zoom, please contact PRS Devin Walsh.

Family and Friends Meetings

In a Family and Friends meeting, participants can expect a safe, supportive space to explore the challenges of living with a loved one’s addiction. The group focuses on building practical skills for managing emotions, improving communication, and setting healthy boundaries. Members will learn how to care for themselves while navigating difficult situations, empowering them to create positive changes in their own lives and relationships. By connecting with others who share similar experiences, participants can find encouragement, hope, and a sense of community on their journey.

In Spring 2025, Family and Friends meetings are on Mondays at 7 PM. Meetings are in the Eagles in Recovery Clubhouse (Link 305). The meetings focus on discussions about finding mutual support.

Family and Friends meetings also are available in person and virtually, via Zoom. For information about joining a meeting via Zoom, please contact PRS Devin Walsh.

Recovery Coffee Bike

New in 2022, our Recovery Coffee Bike is another space in which our recovery community can connect and talk openly about lived recovery experiences. The bike also will provide an opportunity for us to get the word out about Eagles in Recovery, to reach new members, and to educate allies. There will be volunteer opportunities for students who want to get involved with the coffee bike or just to enjoy the free coffee and making connections.

Eagles in Recovery Clubhouse

This is a safe space, located in Link 305, for students in recovery, and it is only open to those students in recovery. Please contact Devin Walsh for access to this room.

Other Resources

Substance-Related Resources

24/7 National Drug Helpline: 1-844-289-0879

SAMHSA’s 24/7 National Helpline: 800-662-4357

National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Information Center: 1-800-784-6776

UMW Resources

UMW Police Emergency #: 540-654-4444

UMW Police Non-Emergency #: 540-654-1025

UMW’s Talley Center for Counseling Services: 540-654-1053

UMW’s Student Health Center: 540-654-1040

Crisis Resources

UMW Police Emergency #: 540-654-4444

Off-campus emergencies: 911

RACSB Emergency Services: 540-373-6876

Mary Washington ER: 540-741-1100

Snowden at Fredericksburg: 540-741-3900

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

National Hopeline Network Toll Free: 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)

Crisis Text Line: text ‘HOME’ to 741741

Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ friendly) Crisis Hotline: 866-488-7386

Virginia COPES warmline (for those impacted by COVID isolation or anxiety): 1-877-349-6428 (9am-9pm Monday-Friday and 5pm-9pm Saturday and Sunday)

Finding a therapist: http://www.psychologytoday.com/