By Stephy Mahoney | Staff Writer
There’s a place on campus for students who are recovering from addiction, are seeking advice on future career paths, are looking for recovery-friendly organization and support group among the Baylor community, and that is the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center (BARC).
The BARC is a resource for students who may be struggling with addiction or medicated assisted recovery that works toward reversing any detrimental impact on a student’s academic performance, personal relationships and overall well-being.
Kelsey Austin, assistant director of collegiate recovery, said the center has served hundreds of students over the years and likely had a ripple effect on thousands more. The BARC has not only grown in its community base over the last few years but also in its location, originally starting out as a small group in a mechanical closet.
“The BARC began as a student advisory board in 2016 when a graduate student saw a need in the Baylor community for addiction recovery support,” Austin said. “It has grown into a holistic resource on campus with its own space in East Village thanks to Baylor, recovery champions and advocacy from multiple layers within the university system.”
The staff at the center understands that every student’s experience with addiction is unique, and Austin said they work to develop a customized treatment plan that addresses each student’s specific needs and goals.
“Over the years, the BARC has adapted to the students’ needs,” Austin said. “We currently offer SMART meetings, NAMI meetings, All Recovery, AA and AI-Anon meetings as well as guided meditations. We are also working on planning retreats for our students. This semester we plan to go to Big Bend.”
Lilly Ettinger, a former staff member at BARC, said she attended Truett Seminary and has a wide range of experience in the recovery community. She said the center allows students to get back on track and reach their full potential by providing comprehensive, evidence-based treatment and support. One of the key benefits of the center is the provision of individualized care for each student.
“The Christian ethos of Baylor was very quick to pick up on the fact that recovery is a form of resurrection for students’ life,” Ettinger said. “A lot of students that are already in recovery come to Baylor because they know the environment is one that is not as centered around partying as much as other schools.”
Ettinger said they built the BARC pretty quickly and there was never a time it was just one person doing it alone. She said there was always a community of help between herself, Dr. Megan Patterson and Dr. Don Arterburn, willing to assist and guide students in any way they were needed.
An additional resource Baylor provides for students in recovery is a medication called Vivitrol, also known as naltrexone, to help students suppress cravings and stay focused on their progress without being led astray, Ettinger said. This is helpful because there are multiple different ways students can seek help, and that doesn’t look the same for each individual.
The BARC offers many resources to students including Angel Paws, a nonprofit organization that works collectively with Baylor and within Waco on animal assisted therapy.
The nonprofit visits with people and organizations attending a number of events every year to help with addiction and serve as therapy for anyone in need.
The BARC continues to serve as a resource for students seeking help from addiction, needing guidance and allowing individuals to express themselves while overcoming their addictions through a Christ-centered approach.
